James Lawless

The justice committee published its report on drug laws this week after hearing evidence from a range of stakeholders.

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.”

He continued: “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 Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) welcomed the report, which it said supports recommendations made in October by a government taskforce on the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector.

Saoirse Brady, IPRT’s executive director, said: “In particular, the taskforce considered expanding the adult caution scheme to cover simple possession of certain drugs to prevent a ‘person in crisis’ from entering the criminal justice system and instead being able to access necessary health services instead. It also looked at a welcome health-based approach to both mental health and addiction rather than a punitive approach.”

She added: “We are pleased to see that spent convictions are a core part of the recommendations. Effective legislation — that allows for convictions to be expunged from a person’s record once certain conditions are met — has a major role to play in removing barriers to the reintegration of people with a conviction history who have demonstrated that they have moved on from past offending behaviour.

“Securing employment or training, and the ability to rebuild a life after committing an offence, is crucial to breaking the cycle of offending.”