Menu
27/02/2020
Labour Call For Drug Addiction To Be Treated As A Health Issue
Drug addiction must be treated as a health issue and not a legal matter, Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said.
Attending the Drugs Decriminalisation Conference at Dunboyne Castle Hotel, County Meath, Deputy Ó Ríordáin called for more Garda resources to stamp out serious drug traffickers, drug-related intimidation and violent drug gangs – and an end to criminalisation for addicts' minor possession of drugs.
Ó Ríordáin, who's campaigning work for a health-based approach to the drugs problem has been recognised in Ireland and abroad, said Ireland now had the third highest overdose rate in Europe.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: "Decriminalisation means decriminalisation of the user, not the drug. This approach would save lives and free up valuable Garda resources to tackle organised crime, rather than the victims of crime.
"I welcome this important and timely conference, which offers practitioners and campaigners from across Europe the chance to share their experiences and work together to help advance an evidence-based harm reduction approach to the drugs problem."
Ó Ríordáin also called for increased funding for the Drug and Alcohol Task Force to strengthen its community development role and address the root causes of substance misuse.
"The increased availability of addiction treatment services across the country is long overdue, with substance misuse now prevalent in every part of the country in rural and urban communities that have been abandoned by successive governments," he concluded.
(MH/CM)
Attending the Drugs Decriminalisation Conference at Dunboyne Castle Hotel, County Meath, Deputy Ó Ríordáin called for more Garda resources to stamp out serious drug traffickers, drug-related intimidation and violent drug gangs – and an end to criminalisation for addicts' minor possession of drugs.
Ó Ríordáin, who's campaigning work for a health-based approach to the drugs problem has been recognised in Ireland and abroad, said Ireland now had the third highest overdose rate in Europe.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: "Decriminalisation means decriminalisation of the user, not the drug. This approach would save lives and free up valuable Garda resources to tackle organised crime, rather than the victims of crime.
"I welcome this important and timely conference, which offers practitioners and campaigners from across Europe the chance to share their experiences and work together to help advance an evidence-based harm reduction approach to the drugs problem."
Ó Ríordáin also called for increased funding for the Drug and Alcohol Task Force to strengthen its community development role and address the root causes of substance misuse.
"The increased availability of addiction treatment services across the country is long overdue, with substance misuse now prevalent in every part of the country in rural and urban communities that have been abandoned by successive governments," he concluded.
(MH/CM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 April 2017
New Powers Allow For Roadside Drug Testing
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross has announced the commencement of the drug driving provisions in the Road Traffic Act 2016. One of the key measures in the legislation provides for Preliminary Drug Testing, which will enable Gardaí to test motorists whom they suspect of driving under the influence of drugs at the roadside.
New Powers Allow For Roadside Drug Testing
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross has announced the commencement of the drug driving provisions in the Road Traffic Act 2016. One of the key measures in the legislation provides for Preliminary Drug Testing, which will enable Gardaí to test motorists whom they suspect of driving under the influence of drugs at the roadside.
03 November 2011
National Drugs And Alcohol Strategy In Focus
The misuse of drugs is firmly in the spotlight today with Róisín Shortall, Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs Strategy, speaking at the opening of the National Drugs Conference of Ireland under the theme 'Drug Interventions: What Works?' She said: "It is very important that the initiatives we take to address problem drug use are effect
National Drugs And Alcohol Strategy In Focus
The misuse of drugs is firmly in the spotlight today with Róisín Shortall, Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs Strategy, speaking at the opening of the National Drugs Conference of Ireland under the theme 'Drug Interventions: What Works?' She said: "It is very important that the initiatives we take to address problem drug use are effect
17 December 2010
Gardaí Arrest 45 In Major Drugs Operation
A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and “crack” cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
Gardaí Arrest 45 In Major Drugs Operation
A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and “crack” cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
03 December 2019
CSO Publishes 2018 Crime Detection Figures
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published crime detection figures for the first time in four years. The figures are relating to 2018, with detection rates for murder incidents at 72%. Detection of controlled drug offences represent a high of 85%, while sexual offence detection remained low at just 11%.
CSO Publishes 2018 Crime Detection Figures
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published crime detection figures for the first time in four years. The figures are relating to 2018, with detection rates for murder incidents at 72%. Detection of controlled drug offences represent a high of 85%, while sexual offence detection remained low at just 11%.
08 March 2019
Cannabis Worth Estimated €360,000 Seized In Vehicle Stop
Cannabis herb worth an estimated €360,000 has been seized in an intelligence-led operation targeting an organised crime gang in Dublin. The seizure was made when a van was stopped and searched in the Coolock area by gardai from the Eastern Region, supported by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau.
Cannabis Worth Estimated €360,000 Seized In Vehicle Stop
Cannabis herb worth an estimated €360,000 has been seized in an intelligence-led operation targeting an organised crime gang in Dublin. The seizure was made when a van was stopped and searched in the Coolock area by gardai from the Eastern Region, supported by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
