Interim report on drugs "positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm" - Senator O'Hara
Senator Mal O’Hara said “I am delighted to see this interim report. With an election due within weeks, this report gives a clear direction to any incoming Government on how to move to a health led approach which will save lives and reduce harm.
Mal continued “The work of the joint committee is to respond to the 36 recommendations made by the Citizens Assembly. The Committee held engagements with stakeholders in June, July, September, and October of 2024 which provided evidence from a broad perspective of voices and sectors of Irish society. Arising from these engagements, the Committee made 59 recommendations in its interim report. Some of which include repealing the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997, introducing a regulatory model for certain drugs and decriminalisation in relation to possession of all substances for personal use.
These include:
• the stigmatisation of drug use and the shaming of drug users are a source of significant harm.
• the Committee recommends that steps are taken to introduce a regulatory model for certain drugs. The Committee recommends this should be considered with particular reference to Spain, Malta, and Germany in the development of an Irish not for profit regulated cannabis market.
• that Government introduce a health-led approach to the use and misuse of substances.
• the decriminalisation of the person in relation to the possession of all substances for personal use, in line with the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly - this highlights that the goal of drug policy should be to reduce harm and eliminate stigma, both, in large part, caused and exacerbated by the criminalisation of people who use drugs.
• Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997 be repealed, to give effect to a comprehensive health led approach.
• the decriminalisation of possession for personal use should apply equally to all illicit drugs.
• people should be offered all supports and health resources that are required, but that no person should be criminalised for not availing of a supportive intervention.
• the importance of there being a strong, constructive working relationship between the community, voluntary and statutory services, and An Garda Síochána, to support the provision of compassionate and person-centred interventions where required, underpinned by a robust Memorandum of Understanding.
• local authorities and An Garda Síochana are supported and empowered in strongly discouraging and reducing consumption in public areas. This should be done in an appropriate and sensitive way which considers the complex inter-relationship between problematic use and extreme deprivation and homelessness.
• that specific trauma and harm reduction training be provided to An Garda Síochána and local authorities, to inform their work with individuals and communities affected by drug misuse and addiction.
• the development of clear guidelines for An Garda Síochána to operate within a decriminalised model
Senator O’Hara finished “It is positive to see this progress on saving lives and reducing harm. It is disappointing that despite Northern Ireland having a higher drug death rate than the Republic, and drug deaths almost tripling in the last decade, that the Executive Parties sit on their hands while vulnerable people die.”
ENDS
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