Niall Collins
Question:189. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the status of a matter in relation to legislation on cannabis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50073/21]
View answerWednesday, 13 October 2021
Questions (189)
Written answers
The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, ‘A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’, sets out a health-led approach to drug use. It promotes 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 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 Government established a working group to consider alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use in December 2017. The work programme of the group consisted of meetings with experts from other countries, commissioning research on other jurisdictions and undertaking a public consultation. The consultation process received a response of over 20,000 people and included the views of many people who use drugs.
The working group examined the option of decriminalising drugs. The report did not deem this an appropriate option in the Irish context due to legal difficulties (which could lead to the de facto legalisation of drugs), and operational problems for An Garda Síochána. The report of the working group was published in 2019 and is available here.
The Government accepted the views of the working group on the decriminalisation of drugs. Accordingly, there are no plans to decriminalise drugs, including cannabis.
In line with the working group’s recommendations, the Government agreed a health-led approach to the possession of drugs for personal use. 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 commencement of the Health Diversion Programme is currently being finalised. 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.
The importance of a health-lead approach is reflected in the significant number of treatment episodes (2,120) provided to people who use cannabis in 2020. Cannabis, behind opioids and cocaine, was the third most common main drug reported by people accessing treatment in Ireland, accounting for 21.9% of cases treated in 2020. In addition, presentations to Child and Adolescent Addiction Services indicate that cannabis is the main substance causing harm for those under the age of 18.
We cannot be complacent about the risk to health posed by illicit drugs. The Government is committed to a public health approach to drug use, that will lead to better outcomes for individuals and society.