Such protests would be similar to the Concerned Parents Against Drugs campaign in Dublin in the 1980s which had strong Sinn Fein involvement.

Community activists in Derry say there has been a substantial increase in drug abuse in the city, particularly of 'blues' which contain diazepam but in far greater dosage than the prescription drug. Young people mix the drugs with alcohol and the combination can leave them unconscious.

The drug problem has been linked to an increase in chronic depression among young people which has led to several suicides.

Eamon Johnston, 22, a hairdresser and winner of Mr Gay Derry, killed himself earlier this month. His family said he had a drug problem.

In a statement, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement said: "People in Derry are sick, sore and tired of drug dealers operating openly in their communities. The Sovereignty Movement is looking at ways to respond to this and we are not ruling anything out.

"Marches and pickets at the doors of drug dealers is one option. If the local communities tell us this is what they want to do, then we will be there to support them."

The Sovereignty Movement is widely viewed as the political wing of the Real IRA, a claim the group denies.