Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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To go back to the idea of trying to interdict a greater uptake of drug taking where there is decriminalisation, we understand and have heard a lot about the logic behind that, but in terms of policing measures, I would say there is a societal desire to try, insofar as possible, to discourage recreational drug taking, especially because it may be a pathway to harder addiction. As we are seeing with the kinds of heavier drugs Mr. Leitão da Silva outlined, such as opioids, they are highly addictive and, even for people who might recreationally take drugs, they can form a significant drug habit. They can present a social and economic problem for them and their families. What is being done in Portugal in the context of policing to try to interdict this? Has it affected the state's ability to interdict the supply of illegal drugs into the country?