Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Citizens' assemblies play a crucial role in driving social and policy change across Ireland. Over the past few years, we have seen how effective they are at starting a national discourse on the issues impacting people and because of that, Ireland is widely regarded as a world leader when it comes to deliberative democracy. The recommendations of previous citizens' assemblies have influenced significant changes in how we in this State live our lives. They can and do lead to constitutional and legislative change and change in the design and implementation of policy. They lead to changes in society. I welcome the commitment to establishing a citizens' assembly on drug use because the prevalence of drug use and addiction has reached a very worrying level. Meanwhile, the underground drugs trade booms on our streets and preys on young people in vulnerable communities. The connection between casual drug-taking and the funding of the illegal drugs trade is not always made. The Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris, made that point well in the Chamber last week. The Minister of State's predecessor, Deputy Feighan, articulated that well when he met constituents of mine in Clondalkin recently. It is something we must highlight as much as we can. It is clear that our current approach to drug use is either not working completely or is not having the impact it needs to have from the point of view of health or in the context of the criminal aspect. Who better to inform our future approach than people who have lived experience of patterns, trends and changing attitudes around drug use in Ireland?

Drug use can be a hugely divisive topic, with people's opinions spanning a wide spectrum. That is why a citizens' assembly is the perfect vehicle for public dialogue. The discussion in this space is often dominated by the question of legalisation, which is important and which is one that we, as a society, are ready to discuss. I am glad that will be discussed as part of the citizens' assembly. By investigating the opportunities and challenges of reforming legislation and policy in this space, we will be able to look at how we could potentially change our response to drug use when it comes to health, education and the criminal justice system.

The remit of the citizens' assembly must go further than this. It must look at drug use in Ireland using a whole-of-society approach. This includes attitudes on and trends in drug use, the impact of drug use on individuals, families, communities and society, best practice in promoting and supporting rehabilitation and recovery from drug addiction, the lived experience of young people and adults affected by drug use, international, national and local perspectives and the efficacy of current policy and responses to drug use.

We also need to look at international best practice when it comes to reducing supply, demand and harm and increasing resilience, health and well-being. We are seeing some concerning trends and we cannot and must not ignore them. Discussion on State responses, policy education, addiction and other areas are needed. As a society we all look forward to hearing the report from the citizens' assembly. I am glad to say this sounds like it might be something that will happen this year. We need to focus on it. It is time that as a nation we stood up and had an adult conversation on drug use and the way forward.

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