Joint Committee on Justice has published its Report on an examination of the present approach to sanctions for possession of certain amounts of drugs for personal use

Speaking on the report, Deputy James Lawless, Cathaoirleach of the Committee said “In selecting this topic, the Committee recognised the ongoing and significant problems with drug addiction in Ireland and the tragic impact this has on societies, communities and families. The Committee heard figures during its public engagement that the rate of drug deaths in Ireland ranks at three times the European average and that these figures are among the highest within the EU.”

Deputy Lawless said “The written submissions received and, at our meetings, the witnesses provided the Committee with an insight into several areas where it was felt that Ireland’s approach towards drug policies could be re-examined. Among these areas include the potential to decriminalise the possession of certain amounts of drugs for personal use; the potential to introduce a regulatory model surrounding drug usage; the potential benefits or drawbacks of such approaches, and the experiences and policies of other jurisdictions in relation to drug use and possession.”

The Deputy added “The Committee has made a number of recommendations for these areas, outlined below, and a copy of this report has been sent to the Minister for Justice. The Committee looks forward to working proactively and productively with the Minister to engage with the issues and recommendations identified within its report.”

Read the full report here

Among the recommendations made in the report are:

1. The Committee acknowledges the harms associated with pursuing a criminal justice led approach to drug use and misuse and recommends that a health led approach is prioritised in both policy and practice.

2. The Committee recognises the role that poverty, inequality and trauma can play in the prevalence of problem drug use and addiction, and, accordingly, recommends the implementation of a poverty and trauma-informed approach in the development and delivery of our addiction services.

3. The Committee recommends the expansion of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP), to ensure that more people affected by chronic illness can access cannabis in circumstances where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms.

4. The Committee recommends that, in acknowledging drug addiction as a health issue, increased investment should be made into programmes, services and treatments which address addiction and the harms associated with it, paying particular attention to harm reduction, improved social interventions and dual diagnosis services.

5. The Committee recommends that a fact-based, educational campaign on drug use and harm reduction should be implemented nationwide as soon as possible, which incorporates the changing nature of drug use.

6. The Committee calls for a rapid expansion of the drug testing pilot-scheme, first trialled in Ireland at the Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival, in Stradbally Co. Laois, in 2022.

7. The Committee recommends that a detailed multi-year plan is developed, specifying the measures that Government intends to take, in terms of both the health and justice systems, in order to reduce drug-related harms and addiction.

8. The Committee recommends that a policy of decriminalisation is pursued, in line with emerging international best-practice, in respect of the possession of drugs for personal consumption, through appropriate legislation reform, in favour of a health-led approach to problem drug use.

9. The Committee recommends the practice of cultivation of currently illicit substances at a modest, non-profit level be examined in light of above recommendations in order to regulate such activity.

10. The Committee recommends that steps are taken to introduce a regulatory model for certain drugs.

You can read more about the work carried out by the Committee on Justice