Significant changes to laws governing the possession of drugs for personal use, amounting to an “effective decriminalisation”, have been recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly.
The body voted on and agreed 36 recommendations for government, aimed at producing a new Irish model of legislation, policy and service to reduce the harm caused by illicit drugs use.
The recommendations were agreed at the sixth and final meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use in Malahide, Co Dublin, at the weekend.
They will be compiled into a final report outlining the work of the Assembly over the six months since it first met in April to be submitted to the Oireachtas by the end of this year.
One of the recommendations being put forward is “significant changes to laws governing penalties for possession of drugs for personal use”.
This has been described as “effectively amounting to decriminalisation”, and an approach based on health-led interventions rather than through convictions via the criminal justice system.
Other key recommendations include greater responsibility and accountability for drugs policy at national level through the establishment of a dedicated Cabinet Committee on Drugs to be chaired by the Taoiseach, and increased funding for drugs treatment services alongside a greater focus on education about drugs use and prevention measures.
Assembly chair Paul Reid said members have “made an important contribution to Irish life through their active participation in the Assembly process.
“This has been the most comprehensive, wide-ranging, and representative discussion on all aspects of drugs use and drugs policy that has ever taken place in Ireland,” he said.
“As the Assembly’s work developed it was clear there was a mood for change and this is represented in the recommendations that have been agreed, including significant changes to how we treat and deal with possession of drugs for personal use.”
He described a “much-needed and long-overdue national conversation”.
“The Assembly has produced an Irish model of drugs laws designed in the context of the issues and challenges we face,” he said.
“We heard of the devastating impact that drugs use on individuals, their families, and communities, and we have heard the voices and stories of those who work at the forefront of drugs treatment, drugs services, and drugs prevention.
“We have heard arguments for a new and radical approach, and we heard calls for the maintenance of the status quo.
“Ultimately, it will be up to the Oireachtas to implement what the Assembly has called for. But if they do, this will not only change the national policy and approach, it will also change people’s lives. For the better.”
