Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

(a) In the lead-in to the motion, to delete “the calling of two Citizens’ Assemblies” and substitute “the calling of three Citizens’ Assemblies”.

(b) To insert a new paragraph after paragraph (2):

“(3) a Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs, with a total of 100 members, including an independent Chairperson and 99 randomly-selected members of the public, to examine how the State can improve its response to the issue of drug use and abuse, and to bring forward proposals in that regard; the Assembly shall consider, inter alia:

- the international, European, national, regional and local research on drug use and drug policy;

- the threats presented by the continued criminalisation of drug use, and the opportunities presented in responding to drug use as a public health issue;

- the many contributing factors to drug abuse and addiction, their impacts, and the opportunities presented in addressing the causes of drug abuse and addiction;

- the perspectives of the general public, representative groups, advocacy groups, experts and policy makers on drug use, and its impact on Ireland; - opportunities to promote greater public understanding of, and support for, a health led approach to drug abuse;

- the potential benefits of promoting a harm-reduction approach to drug policy, including through the provision of certain supports, including, inter alia, safe injection and safe-consumption facilities, and medication-assisted treatments for drug addiction;

- opportunities to improve the number and diversity of wraparound supports available to individuals who use drugs, including, inter alia, detox and aftercare facilities, and other supports which can assist individuals in their recovery from drug addiction; and

- opportunities to improve the State’s response to the challenge of drug use and abuse, how that response can best be resourced and implemented in a strategic and co-ordinated manner, and how progress can be measured.”