Mr. Tony Duffin:

The diversion is obviously when the person comes to the attention of An Garda Síochána on a particular occasion. That is he diversion. Then there is the very simple assessment tool used to find out if somebody has a problem or not. Then, as mentioned, there is either the harm reduction advice and an explanation around drugs not being legalised, etc. If not, it is a treatment option and people do not have to take it. The word is "offered". We have put people with drug problems in prison many times over the years and we are quite happy to keep doing that, so we should be quite happy then to keep offering people support and treatment. When they are ready they will take it, if they are ready. That is the piece.

Drug policy is an interesting beast. It should be about what works but it is not always about what works. It is about what people like or approve of. Often those two things do not come together. It is a challenge. It is about what people believe and read versus what actually works. There is great evidence for decriminalisation models around the world. Prohibition has not worked in that regard.

There are other issues around criminal justice and dealing and all of those things. What we are talking about is the response to drug use. It is a diversion and an assessment and that is where it ends, as I understand it. That is what Ireland is considering at the moment.