Alan Kelly
Question:1101. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to legalise cannabis during his term as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15137/20]
View answerTuesday, 14 July 2020
Questions (1101)
Written answers
The Programme for Government highlights concern about the increasing prevalence of illegal drug use over recent decades. Cannabis use by adolescents, in particular, is worrying as it poses risks of dependence and developing psychotic illness. Accordingly, the Government has no plans to legalise cannabis during its term of office.
The Programme for Government sets out a health-led approach to drug misuse. By treating the use of substances as a public health issue, rather than solely as a criminal issue, we can better help individuals, their families and the communities in which we live.
The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, provides a roadmap to achieving these aims, by promoting a more compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs, with drug use treated first and foremost as a public health issue.
The Programme for Government affirms the Government's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Working Group on alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use, as an important step in developing a public health led approach to drug use in this country. This approach will connect people who use drugs with health services and a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people. The Government will undertake a review of this alternative approach to ensure it is meeting all of its aims, following the first full year of implementation, and make any necessary changes.
The Department of Health, as part of the introduction of the Health Diversion Programme, is providing €100,000 in 2020 to develop a national harm reduction campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug use.
I am committed to a public health approach to drug use, as it will lead to better outcomes for individuals and society. At the same time, we cannot be complacent about the risk to health posed by illegal drugs, including cannabis.