It's trendy these days to be anti colonialism, but as soon as you mention ireland all the support fizzles out. Fucks up with that? Most young people hate tories, hate british empire, etc etc, but then you say IRA and everyone gets scared. It's not even like my generation has an emotional attachment to it either - it's before our time
Hm - I don't have any reading on it, but I can understand the rationale. Aside from the parts that were solely based on catholicism. That's my main gripe with em.
My understanding is that the areas were poor, and to minimalise crime and addiction it was easier just to take a hard line.
Not to mention that the RUC and UDA had a vested interest in selling drugs. If addiction is rampant, and is being pinned on the IRA it may turn the community on them.