Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use. It is something that has needed to happen for many years. I commend all of those who campaigned and worked hard to get this far. I acknowledge there is no one voice on this issue. While we are speaking about a citizens' assembly I call on the Government to stop dragging its heels and establish a citizens' assembly on Irish unity as soon as possible to give all the people a say in the future of our island.

Drug misuse and abuse destroys individuals, families and communities. For many decades there has been one way to tackle the issue of mind-altering illegal drugs and abused legal drugs. Fractured communities are struggling and ever-expanding drug support services have had enough of the so-called "war on drugs". In effect this means a war on working-class communities. It has led to the criminalisation of a vast number of young and older people who have been left with criminal records which have affected the entirety of their lives. I welcome that we are looking at international best practice. I look forward to some of the models used throughout the world being explored and discussed to see how we can use some of this best practice and adapt it to an Irish context.

I acknowledge that the citizens' assembly will look at the lived experience of young people and adults affected by drug use as well as their families and communities. I hope that we also look at the lived experience of young and older people with regard to non-problematic drug use. We need to hear the voices of those who use drugs on a recreational basis. It is important this voice is also heard in the debate. It is recognised throughout the world that we can never rid our communities of drugs but a citizens' assembly can chart a way forward to help get rid of the blight of drug debt intimidation and local, national and international drug gangs which maintain their iron grip on our communities through more violence and intimidation.

I hope that the citizens' assembly can help to get us to where communities' voices are heard again and respected. As somebody involved in the establishment of a drugs task force a good number of years ago, as well as in community-led drugs projects, therapeutic and youth supports, I know the community-led approach works. Many of us in the Chamber know this. Unfortunately for the past ten years at least it has been very challenging.

I commend all those working on the coalface supporting those with problematic drug use and supporting young people, especially those on the local drugs task forces, family support networks and the brilliant work of our community drug teams in Dublin 15. We have the Tolka River Project rehabilitation programme, Genesis and Blanchardstown community counselling services and youth services such as Foróige neighbourhood youth projects and Blakestown and Mountview Youth Initiative. There are also all of the mothers, fathers, families and unpaid community activists who keep the struggle going to help and support people who are addicted to drugs and in recovery. I ask Members to support Deputy Gould's amendments to the motion.

See this speech in context