Ms Ruby Lawlor:

As Professor Stevens stated, decriminalisation will not, in itself, disrupt the market but it allows for more access, especially for young people, to harm-reduction services. It removes the barriers, stigma and discrimination. It also works towards systems that are able to lower the age of consent for accessing harm reduction more widely. Regarding legalisation and links to drug treatment, when we look at the young people's issue it is important to make sure that treatment is not forced or coerced. It includes informed consent for young people and people under 18, and it needs to be tailored to young people. Within any system we need this to exist for their recovery. Recovery is different for everyone; it is not always abstinence. Sometimes it means reduced chaotic use. It is hard to give examples for young people around the world because it is not really there. I am giving the best-informed information I can.