Ms Molly Joyce:

There was mention of the adult caution scheme. We support the recommendations on the scheme from the high-level task force and in particular its extension to cover simple possession of other drugs. That would have the benefit of preventing people who may be in crisis from entering the criminal justice system. There is also some welcome language within the task force about some of these, such as the adult caution scheme but also addiction and mental health awareness training in an Garda Síochána and talking about evidence of crisis, mental illness, addiction or situational trauma. The task force also talks about training gardaí on diversionary approaches in appropriate cases with regard to mental health, addiction, homelessness, lack of maturity and other circumstances. There is some language there that is good and which we can draw on to expand that approach so it is not just about someone with a mental illness, necessarily, but someone who is young or homeless or there are situational reasons for them acting the way they are and that perhaps having a more empathetic approach to the which does not result in the person ending up in a police cell and then prison.