Ms Ruby Lawlor:

I thank the Deputy for the question. People have different views on what this would look like. In my view and in that of my organisation, pharmacies would be the distributors. I am not as sure about the input of doctors on this. Doctors being involved would mean there would be more barriers to accessing drugs. If it would takes longer to access a drug, someone might turn to another source. In a regulated market, it would done be through Government-owned pharmacies. This would take it the market and it would not be advertised. There would be clear packaging; it would not be branded. From the youth perspective, it would not look like something from a candy store. People have fears around things being colourful and advertised in a certain way. They would be presented in the way that drugs in a pharmacy are presented. In other words, a person would have to interact with the pharmacist and they would ask if that individual had used the drug before. There would also be age restrictions, but, in general, pharmacists would as people if they had used something before, how long they have been using, whether they feel their use is chaotic, whether they would like any supports, whether they have accessed drug treatment, whether they are aware of the options for stopping use and whether they are aware of the harm reduction facilities available to make sure your use is as safe as it could be. Finally, there would be the provision of the substance itself.

When it comes to age restrictions, I think we would all agree that it needs to be 18-plus. It would depend on different drugs for different ages, but without criminalising someone who is underage and who is found in possession of a prescription drug. That is view.