Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also have two other committees at the same time. We learn the skill of bilocation very quickly in this place. I have read some of the opening statements and I am aware of some of the contributions made earlier. I have limited time and I want to hear from the witnesses.

In terms of pursuing a change through decriminalisation, depenalisation or legalisation, will the witnesses give examples where interaction with the criminal justice system, or where the element of the criminal justice system is involved in someone's recovery, has impaired the ability of the person to recover? I am thinking of a direct comparison between people seeking recovery from alcohol or from an illegal drug. I know polydrug use makes it more complicated but I am thinking about those two pure streams. Somebody who is trying to seek recovery from alcohol does not have to deal with the criminal sanctions that may come from that. Although they still have to deal with stigma, they do not have to deal with the stigma associated with being a criminal or committing a crime. Do the witnesses have examples where, because one drug rather than another is illegal, that has restricted or impaired a person’s ability to recover?