Ireland’s Oireachtas Committee Recommends Decriminalization of Personal Drug Use
In a significant move towards a more progressive drug policy, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use in Ireland has issued an interim report endorsing the decriminalization of personal possession of all illegal drugs. This recommendation echoes the findings of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, which had previously called for a similar shift in approach.
Committee cathaoirleach Deputy Gino Kenny emphasized the Committee’s agreement with all the substantive recommendations made by the Citizens’ Assembly, including the decriminalization of all substances. The goal, according to Kenny, is to move away from criminalizing possession and instead focus on a health-led approach, allowing for the exploration of treatment options when necessary.
The report, published nine months after the Citizens’ Assembly’s initial report, has garnered significant attention. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had previously indicated his willingness to give careful consideration to any recommendations aiming to reform the country’s drug laws. He acknowledged the inefficacy of current policies that often shame and criminalize individuals, particularly among younger demographics.
Beyond decriminalization, the Committee also advocates for the legalization of cannabis, proposing a regulated model similar to those implemented in Spain, Malta, and Germany. This model would involve a non-profit, controlled market for marijuana. Furthermore, the report echoes the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice’s recommendation to expand the Medical Cannabis Access Program (MCAP) to ensure greater access to cannabis for those suffering from chronic illnesses who haven’t found relief with other treatments.
The Committee’s interim report, containing 59 recommendations, highlights the need to address the stigma surrounding drug use and its harmful effects on individuals. It calls for a health-led approach to substance use and misuse, decriminalizing personal possession of all substances while offering support and resources to individuals struggling with addiction. The report also emphasizes the importance of empowering local authorities and An Garda Síochána to discourage drug use in public spaces, but in a way that acknowledges the complex interplay between problematic use and factors like homelessness and deprivation.
Kenny emphasized that the new government should not dismiss the concept of decriminalization without proper consideration. He highlighted the extensive work undertaken by both the Citizens’ Assembly and the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use, concluding that criminalizing personal drug use is not only a waste of resources but also detrimental to those convicted. While the Committee maintains that the supply and sale of drugs should remain illegal, it recognizes the significant harm inflicted on individuals, families, and communities by drug trafficking and its associated profits.
The Committee’s recommendations stem from comprehensive data gathered from Irish medical practitioners, service providers, drug users, and national and international experts. The Joint Committee on Drugs Use has requested that the issues raised in the interim report be debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas, marking a significant step towards potentially reforming Ireland’s drug policy.