Government must answer if they will support decriminalisation

Labour’s Health Spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has called on the Government to answer whether it will support decriminalisation of people who use drugs.

Deputy Sherlock was speaking following Labour’s motion to decriminalise people who use drugs.

Deputy Sherlock said:

“Despite clear recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drugs in the last Dáil and Seanad, Government is continuing to push ahead with a limited health diversion scheme. A health diversion scheme will fail without full decriminalisation.

“It is critical that we get answers now from Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on whether they intend to legislate for decriminalisation or not. I have no confidence in Government that the full recommendations from the Citizens Assembly will be acted upon. There is nothing in the Programme for Government to suggest a full commitment to the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly. It is simply not good enough.

“The Citizens’ Assembly rejected the notion of health diversion alone. The Assembly identified three key pillars of a health led approach, including decriminalisation, and yet, Government is pushing ahead with only the diversion element. A half-baked approach is not reform.

“Everyone knows the current war on drugs has not worked. It has not protected communities from overdose deaths which are tragically among the highest in Europe. Addiction and substance use disorder cannot be treated as a criminal issue any longer. It is a health issue needing a comprehensive health led approach, backed by investment in treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services. We need a focus on services not sanctions.

“We know what works. The Portuguese model has moved from stigma and supported individuals into treatment and away from harm. Decriminalisation must also include serious investment in services. That means treatment, recovery, testing, naloxone, safe consumption centres and properly funded task forces. Safe consumption centres are proven to reduce harm. The MSIF in Dublin must be made permanent and new centres established across Ireland.

“Government must answer a simple question. Is it committed to decriminalising people who use drugs or not? We cannot police our way out of this issue. Ireland can choose dignity, safety, and recovery. In recognition of the evidence and the overwhelming testimony from addiction workers, I am calling on Government to stop delaying.

“Government must commit to full decriminalisation and invest properly in services. People deserve a system that supports them to live, not a system that punishes them.”