A Westmeath councillor is making the call.
Greater action from the Gardaí and local authority is needed, to combat anti-social behaviour and public drug use in Athlone.
Fianna Fáil councillor Aengus O'Rourke is making the call, having noticed more and more people openly using and dealing drugs in the town.
He says a soft touch approach taken by the authorities is clearly not working.
The Athone councillor feels a greater Garda presence on the streets is one solution to the issue: