Ms Maura Butler:

The Association for Criminal Justice Research has a broad membership, some of which are of the view that decriminalisation is not a good idea, while others are in favour. Second, it is important to indicate that the views expressed in this submission are those of the ACJRD in its independent capacity and are not those of the ACJRD members' organisations or their employers. I propose to present a résumé as required, but before doing so I wish to state that I am very obliged to both Professor Catherine Comiskey and Denis Murray for assisting the ACJRD in compiling this submission. Mr. Murray is a family therapist. Ms Comiskey is a professor who has kindly agreed to attend today to assist the committee with her very broad research knowledge and statistics on this area, for which I thank her.

Initially, in the ACJRD submission, we raised some queries about the Lisbon document. We pointed out that it might be useful to the discussion to have the following: more data on the less positive or negative results of the Portuguese policy; empirical evidence to support the contention that the criminalisation of addicts was counterproductive and prevented them from seeking help; the metrics that determine what "personal use" quantities might be; the resource implications in Portugal of reporting to the Commission for Addiction Dissuasion; information on whether the Portuguese State has power to require treatment, the type of follow-up treatment and how it might work; data showing that users gained full-time employment and did not go back to drugs, which was mentioned in the report, but without supporting data; and statistical analysis of the outcome in Portugal over the past 15 years.

In relation to literature reviews in this area, ACJRD would like to point to its 2013 annual conference paper, entitled Preventable Harm: Criminal Justice, Communities & Civil Society, which examined the matter before today's committee. On a previous occasion we made presentations on the relationship between gangland crime and drugs, which we feel ought to influence this particular discussion.

With regard to research, I am obliged to Professor Comiskey, who will elucidate this matter later on. Research conducted by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol has indicated that the use of illegal drugs is widespread and spans all age groups in Irish society. A NACDA report in 2009 demonstrates that in 2006, the number of persons who used opiates in this country was over 20,000, which means 7.2 persons per 1,000 of population. International research has shown that treatment for opiate use works, but more is needed in terms of rehabilitation and recovery. It also demonstrates that access to drug treatment reduced levels of crime and improved social functioning. The ROSIE Study, which wasconducted in Ireland by Professor Comiskey, is indicative of a similar position in this jurisdiction.

In terms of the promotion of health and well-being, we support what Mr. Carey said a few moments ago about the necessity for a health framework. A study carried out by Youth Work Ireland in Cork in 2011 indicated that social interventions, rather than a medical or legal approach, offered the best outcomes. Also, family therapists reporting on the outcomes of regular contact with the Garda by young people with regard to purchasing alcohol, around which there is a lack of regulation, have suggested that there is a need to promote health and well-being if a policy of decriminalisation of certain drugs is to be pursued. Family therapists also suggested, in terms of adolescent addiction services, that they had a preference for putting resources into early intervention and protective or preventative measures. Furthermore, statistics from the HSE for 2013, which are in the submission, show that a high and increasing level of contact with young people who have multiple addiction support needs must involve the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and child protection services.

Issues of self-esteem, indebtedness, poor school attendance, lack of motivation, memory loss and mental health concerns are often minimised by young people as separate from their substance use. The changing profile of drug use presents challenges to services in terms of establishing a broad range of treatment responses. A study by the Family Support Network of Ireland highlights that intimidation and threats of violence are increasing among families whose members have drug-related debts. A study comparing various therapeutic responses revealed that multi-dimensional family therapy, MDFT, produced better outcomes for young people.

In conclusion, we suggest that we need more empirical data on how the Portuguese experience worked out. We need to learn from literature review and research, both nationally and internationally. Primarily, treatment is key for drug addiction, and there is a correlation between treatment and reduced crime rates. Plus, any proposed decriminalisation must be done within a health and well-being promotion framework. Adolescents are already a particularly vulnerable group with respect to addiction, requiring early intervention and protective or preventative measures. They require a singular focus in the context of any proposed decriminalisation of the use of certain drugs. All of those matters have huge resource implications, as previous speakers have mentioned, and that is a view that we support.