Mixed reaction to the publication of the Citizens' Assembly recommendations on drug use

There's been a decidedly mixed reaction to yesterday's publication of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use with some believing it to be a positive step and others, including Hot Press, believing that it's a half-baked fudge which ultimately keeps it within the criminal justice system and stops short of decriminalisation.

The report says that, "The State would respond to drug use and misuse primarily as a public health issue rather than as a criminal justice issue.

"While the possession of controlled drugs would remain illegal, people found in possession of illicit drugs for personal use would be afforded, first and foremost, extensive opportunities to engage voluntarily with health-led services.

"Depending on how the legislation was designed, this approach would minimise or potentially completely remove, the possibility of criminal conviction and prison sentence for simple possession.

"A member of An Garda Síochána, on finding someone in possession of drugs for personal use, would refer that person directly to a SAOR Brief Intervention, designed to assess, inform, dissuade people from developing problematic drug use and where appropriate, offer a person an onward referral to addiction services."

While a quantum leap from the 'Just Say No' rhetoric of old, words and phrases like 'primarily', 'first and foremost', 'depending on' 'where appropriate' and 'potentially' means that the recommendations are massively open to interpretation.

Thank you for following along! The #CADrugsUse report and its recommendations have the potential to transform Ireland’s approach to drug use and treatment. Read the full report: https://t.co/rpC6t7fg06 pic.twitter.com/TyMS9vS6Xj

— The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) January 25, 2024

The former Labour Minister for Drugs, Aodhán O'Ríordaín TD, is however upbeat about the report, tweeting: "With the publication of the report from the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use today it feels like we’re turning a corner. Have been campaigning on #DECRIM for ten years. Today feels like it could be historic."

Peter Reynolds, chair of CLEAR Drugs Policy Reform, strongly disagrees.

"This is not decriminalisation!" he insists. "This is partial depenalisation. A messy, halfway house that will achieve absolutely nothing. It would require massive additional resources to provide health counselling when 90% of consumers are not suffering from any health problem. Government won't provide the funding. The scheme will become a hopeless waiting list, those running it a laughing stock. It won't work!"

Also sounding a note of caution is People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny who proffers: "Like any report the imperative is its implementation. There will be opposition in some quarters to its findings but public opinion has shifted significantly from the status quo. We have had the default position of six decades of criminalisation that will take time to dismantle."

Irish harm reduction group, Crainn, offer some thoughts on what comes next.

"The launch of the Citizens' Assembly's report marks a new phase in the drugs policy debate," they say. "We are expecting a new Oireachtas committee to be established rapidly following comments by Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Paul Reid. The committee has to consider the CA's report, alongside areas the Assembly hadn't the time or space to investigate: Expanded resourcing of drug-checking/testing/ Decriminalisation of home-cultivation/ Cannabis social clubs.

"All of (these) issues are featuring prominently in the national and European public debate and discourse. They were also considered by the Oireachtas' Justice Committee in 2022, which analysed and endorsed these options in their landmark report.

"An effective Oireachtas committee must look at both the 2022 Oireachtas Justice Committee report and the Citizens' Assembly report together and in light of one another In doing this, they will provide the Minister with a holistic and inclusive course of action."

Patrick Costello TD is claiming it as something of a victory for the Green Party who've officially backed decriminalisation while stopping short of making it a red line coalition issue.

I welcome the @CitizAssembly on Drugs report launched today. Greens pushed for this so I'm glad to see it delivered.

Its now up to Government & the Minister to implement these recommendations, especially the non legislative ones which could be progressed in a matter of weeks. pic.twitter.com/7UngJPkirC

— Patrick Costello TD (@Costellop) January 25, 2024

His Green Party colleague Neasa Hourigan agrees, saying: "Four years ago we negotiated for a Citizens' Assembly on Drugs so that Ireland could consider a more progressive approach to an issue that affects so many communities. Here we are today with some very important recommendations for politicians to pursue. I'm hopeful!"

Dr. Garrett McGovern had this interesting exchange with Pat Kenny on his Newstalk show.

An interview I did with Pat Kenny on Newstalk this morning about the recommendations of the Citizen's Assembly on drug policy.https://t.co/YJ6nwGYq1w

— Dr. Garrett McGovern (@AddictionsPMC) January 25, 2024