Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on hard drug usage amongst the population; his views on whether traditional prohibition policies are having a negative impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40443/21]
View answer3137. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the success or otherwise of drug decriminalisation and legalisation measures in other jurisdictions; if he has identified a preferred model internationally that he views would be suitable for implementation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3136 and 3137 together.
The Health Research Board (HRB) recently published the National Drug and Alcohol Survey 2019/20. The survey provides information on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use amongst the general population in Ireland. It also looks at attitudes and perceptions of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and the impact on communities. The findings of the survey highlight that cocaine use has increased across all age groups. Men aged 25 to 34 are most likely to report cocaine use in the last year. The findings of the 2019/20 survey represent a significant increase in use when compared to the same cohort in the 2014/15 survey.
Further, the survey highlights that ecstasy is the second most commonly used drug in the last 12 months after cannabis and has increased in prevalence from 1.8 to 2.2%. The recent use of ecstasy among 15 to 64 year olds has risen from 2.1% to 2.7% when compared to the findings of the 2014/15 survey. Polydrug use has also increased when compared to the 2014/15 survey; in 2019/20, one-quarter of those who reported illegal drug use reported use of at least three illegal drugs, compared with 15.4% in 2014/15.
The HRB has also recently published data relating to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System for problem drug use (excluding alcohol). These data show that there were 10,000 treatment cases in 2020, while also showing that 25% of cases in treatment have children, including 10% with children living in the home. The NDTRS also shows that the number of cocaine cases continues to increase with cocaine being the primary issue for 1-in-4 cases treated in 2020. The impact of drug use on children and families is of great concern and represents further justification of the health led response. Protecting children from the harms of drug is a priority in the new strategic action plan 2021-2025 under the National Drugs Strategy.
The National Drug and Alcohol Survey and the National Drug Treatment Report System provide important and timely information which will inform policy responses to drug use.
The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, promotes a 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 endorses this health-led approach. 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 health diversion programme offers compassion and not punishment to people who use drugs, connecting them with health services and a pathway to recovery, while avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people. This approach aligns with the strategic priority in the EU Drugs Strategy to provide alternatives to coercive sanctions for people who use drugs.
The commencement of the health diversion programme is currently being finalised, and it is intended that it will be commenced in a number of urban and rural locations in 2021. As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Health Diversion Programme will be reviewed following the first full year of implementation, to ensure it is meeting all of its aims and to make any necessary changes.
It is clear that drugs are having a huge impact on people’s lives, both physical and mental. I look forward to the commencement of the health diversion programme which radically changes how we deal with drug use in Irish society.
