Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Tomorrow, the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use will publish its final report. It will be an historic day in the context of this issue. The assembly has made 30 recommendations calling for reform of our current drug policy. It has stated that drug use and misuse is a public health issue, rather than a criminal one. Overall, the sentiment is that the status quo of criminalisation does not work. This policy of criminalisation has been the State's default position for the past six decades. That has stigmatised, marginalised and criminalised not only individuals, but also communities throughout the country. We now have a better understanding of addiction and the reasons people fall into addictions, however. It is a complex issue but we have a more holistic approach to why it happens.

Factors such as poverty, disadvantage and deep trauma that goes on in people's lives mean people turn to drugs sometimes, alcohol sometimes. These are huge social determinants on this issue. Public opinion has shifted, particularly in the last number of years, and is changing course in relation to the position over the past six decades, as I stipulated. This has been reflected not only in the citizens' assembly but also at the justice committee, which had a very good report 14 months ago on a different course of action on drug use and funding communities.

I believe there is a generational chance to change the course taken over the past six decades. Ireland has one of the highest rates of overdose and drug-related deaths in Europe. In the North of Ireland there is an explosion of drug-related deaths. Something needs to happen. Other countries have done it differently, with safe consumption rooms and so forth. That needs to be done here as quickly as possible. The chairperson of the citizens' assembly stated that there is no time to waste. If it saves one life, one person, it is worth changing course regarding criminalising people. Will the Government take the recommendations of the citizens' assembly not just on policy but also on legislative change, which is key? The Misuse of Drugs Act has been in place since the 1970s, criminalising people, sending people through the criminal justice system and the courts, and jailing people. It does not work. Show me where it does work. Other jurisdictions have showed that we can change course, save lives and take people out of the criminal justice system.

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