Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 13 June 2024

Committee on Drugs Use

Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Discussion

9:30 am

Mr. Graham O'Neill:

I do not know if they are happy enough but certainly the fact the citizens' assembly has been set up is a recognition by the Government that this issue is not being dealt with appropriately or else we would not be sitting here. Throughout the number of discussions, from my personal interpretation, there is definitely no silver bullet that will deal with the issue. I do not think we can say that decriminalisation will solve the issue. There are 36 recommendations that deal with both education and funding. As recommended, the health-led approach is just one arrow in our quiver to deal with the issue. That was how I felt, from a citizens' assembly member's point of view.