Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 84: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the introduction of a new law to make it an offence to incite someone to take drugs would have an impact on drug use here; if, in particular, such a law could help prevent the source of drugs for many young and first time users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The introduction of a law to make it an offence to incite someone to take drugs is a matter for my colleague Michael McDowell T.D. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I would be of the opinion that such legislation would not represent an appropriate, or effective, response to tackling the problem of drug misuse.

In this context, the Deputy should note that prevention and supply reduction are two of the pillars of the National Drugs Strategy, both of which are significantly resourced through my own Department, the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Health Services Executive. I feel that the best way of tackling drug misuse is through robust preventative measures, allied with continuing vigilance regarding enforcement.

In any event, I would be of the view that legislation on the lines suggested would be very difficult to implement. Problems would arise in relation to the definition of incitement and the likelihood is that the burden of proof would be very onerous.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 86: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which the decriminalisation policies and practices adopted towards drugs in Portugal and the Netherlands have been used in shaping the Government's drugs policy and the National Drugs Strategy; if aspects of the law in these countries is considered appropriate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7681/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am aware of the approach adopted in the Netherlands, which facilitates the use of cannabis under specific conditions, and in Portugal, where there is an emphasis on dealing with problem drug users through treatment procedures rather than through the courts in the first instance. However, these approaches have not been taken into account in shaping the current National Drugs Strategy.

It is my view that a change in the law regarding the use of drugs would not be of benefit in tackling drug misuse in Ireland. With respect to an international perspective on whether a policy of containment works, the United Nations Office for Drugs Control (UNODC), in its 2006 report, argues that there is ample evidence that the approach of making drugs illegal, which is broadly adopted internationally, is effective.

The Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS), which was published in 2005, found that the current aims and objectives of the Strategy are fundamentally sound and that progress is being made across all of the pillars. In this context, the Deputy should note that while an extensive public consultation process was undertaken as part of the review, the question of decriminalisation or legalisation of drugs were not raised as issues.

Illegal drug use is a global issue and so our efforts to tackle it in Ireland must be seen in that context. The benign approach to cannabis in the Netherlands, for instance, has lead to what is referred to as "drug tourism" with undesirable consequences for that country and for nearby countries. Against this background, and given the more widespread support for making drugs illegal across Europe, it is my view that a change in the law regarding the possession of, say, cannabis would be of no benefit whatsoever in tackling drug use here — in fact, I would be concerned that it might aggravate the problem.

While cannabis may not be as dangerous as some other drugs, the evidence is that it is damaging to the physical and mental health of the user, particularly the young and those who are heavy users. A recent report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs emphasises these points. It is my view that the legalisation of such drugs would lead to greater levels of usage with associated health problems.