Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First and foremost, I commend the Government on the national drugs strategy, which rightly promotes a more compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs. By treating addiction as a health issue rather than solely as a criminal justice issue, we have the opportunity to educate and empower people at an individual level to improve their health, well-being and quality of life through the promotion of rehabilitation and recovery. The establishment of a citizens’ assembly on drug use is another step forward in reducing the harmful impacts of illicit drugs on individuals, families, communities and wider society. The resulting policy will have the opportunity to make a significant difference in the promotion of health and addiction recovery in Ireland.

The prevalence of drug use in recent years is shocking. In Europe, Ireland is among the highest users of cocaine, with cocaine now more common than alcohol. However, there is a significant link between alcohol use and cocaine use. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, an estimated 7.8% of the Irish population have used cocaine in their lifetime, with the average age of first-time regular use being 22 years of age. Substance abuse is through the roof and I passionately welcome the creation of this assembly so those most affected can impact decision-making on drugs policy.

Not a day that goes by that I do not speak with a constituent who has been affected by drug use and addiction. Research shows significant links between trauma, drug use and addiction. Trauma includes anything from adverse childhood experiences to poverty and stress, to name a few issues. People use drugs as a coping mechanism to numb their pain and stress. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to drug use and addiction while their brains are still developing and maturing, and studies highlight that drug use in adolescence creates a vulnerability to drug addiction in later life. This is why education is paramount. Let me be clear: drug use affects all members of society. Whether someone is homeless or a CEO, an adolescent or in their 50s, directly or through families and communities, everyone is affected.

The assembly will examine the range of issues around illicit drugs use in Ireland, considering the lived experience of people impacted by drug use, as well as their families and communities. Citizens’ assemblies have become an important part of Ireland’s democratic process and have made a significant contribution to the process of constitutional reform and change. The widening of the selection process to include all residents in the State, including non-Irish people and normally hard-to-reach groups who are not on the electoral register, is to be applauded. I would also expect the assembly to listen to qualified experts in the field of addiction. Given the growing prevalence rates in Irish society, an awareness regarding the brain and behavioural effects of substance use is crucial so the transition from casual use to addiction can be understood and so legislation and policy can incorporate biological, psychological and social dimensions. Furthermore, I expect to see an international component to the citizens’ assembly, whereby the efficacy of current strategic, policy and operational responses to drug use are evaluated and pulled apart. Merging the best practices from the European Union drugs strategy 2021-2025, the Sláintecare implementation strategy and action plan 2021-23 and the Healthy Ireland strategic action plan 2021–2025 should result in an all-consuming policy. The Government will then need to push forward the resulting recommendations through policy measures in education and the provision of services.

Combining a preventative approach with a person-centred recovery strategy is crucial. However, it must be acknowledged that drug markets and drugs are continuously evolving. The drugs war in my constituency of Louth and east Meath is frightening. Drugs are everywhere and the likes of heroin are becoming more common. It is crucial that we keep on top of new substances coming on stream and their transition into the community. Sharing of information and intelligence both nationally and internationally has been very useful. Policy must incorporate operational responses to drug use, taking into consideration the implications for the health, criminal justice and education systems. Many people who use drugs problematically come into contact with the criminal justice system and acquire criminal convictions, either directly or indirectly related to their drug use. I see this daily.

The scale of the societal problem around drug use is such that it now needs a dedicated resource to drive change, namely, this assembly and Government intervention. A critical element of the assembly on drug use is the co-operation and collaboration between Departments, agencies and support services. A co-ordinated whole-of-government approach is required alongside statutory bodies and civil society.

A young girl came to see me recently who has a problem with alcohol. She is only 18 years of age. Her parents threw her out. I rang the parents and they wanted nothing to do with her. I contacted my local homeless centre and they told me the girl has a serious drink problem and she was in the Simon Community hostel but they threw her out because she was drinking again. She then came back to see me. Where does this young girl go from here? Nobody seems to want to know anything about this young girl, neither the HSE nor the mental health services.

She is only 18 years of age. She slept for three nights on top of the new Halliday Mills apartment block on Quay Street in Dundalk. The system does not work.

Addiction is complex; there are psychological, social, and biological elements to it. It must be acknowledged that people who use drugs are not a homogenous group. Their needs can be varied, multi-faceted and complex. In this girl’s case, the joint commitment of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Health is required to address her needs. We need to work together by considering individual needs. By ensuring alignment across strategies, this will ensure a holistic, whole-of-government approach to addressing the differing needs of the individual. Policies and strategies need to reflect the same aims, have joint commitments and complement each other rather than duplicate issues.

It is expected the citizens’ assembly will commence in April and conclude its work by the end of the year. Through its contribution, research and the lived-experience of its participants, I believe we can succeed in combating our prevailing use of drugs.

We have a serious situation in Dundalk at the moment. No matter where this girl goes all of these doors keep closing on her. We have some fantastic services but to me, they are lip services. I am appealing to the Minister of State to make these places better. If a person walks into the local authority with a problem, it should either send the person to the HSE or even to other Departments. At the moment, nobody is working together. I guarantee that if one walks down any street, whether it is in Dundalk, Dublin or elsewhere, there will be homeless people who are crying for help. I am a firm believer that prevention is the best cure and if we can catch these people at an early stage, we have an opportunity to sort this out.

I know the Minister of State is new in her job but I am pleading with her to help these people, whether they are young, old, or going to school, because there is a serious problem at the moment. I am lucky in that I do not drink, smoke or take drugs but I see it first hand in my constituency office. People are coming in, families, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grannies and grand dads, and they want help. We are pleading with the Minister of State and her Department and all involved to work together to help these people.

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