Irish Labour: ‘Liberalise possession of all illegal drugs’

The Labour Party has called on the Irish Government to decriminalise all drugs for personal use and to open more shooting galleries for addicts.

In a Private Members’ motion tabled on behalf of the party, Marie Sherlock TD claimed that a “comprehensive health-led response” was needed in light of the cocaine epidemic and an increasing potency in synthetic drugs.

But Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín warned that decriminalising drugs “can lead to increased use, increased damage to health and increased overdoses”.

Young people

Tóibín explained: “It is easier for parents to warn their kids off the consumption of drugs by telling them that it is illegal rather than just harmful.”

He added: “It strikes me as strange that we are having a big discussion about the potential decriminalisation of, I think, nearly all drugs at this stage, and at the same time trying to reduce access to cigarettes and vapes, knowing that even these could create difficulty for individuals’ health”.

In response to the motion, Department of Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said that while “the possession of controlled drugs will remain illegal”, drug users will continue to be diverted to health services. Under the Government’s Health Diversion Approach, users can be issued with a caution, instead of prosecution, if caught in possession of drugs a second time.

Deputy O’Connor also expressed approval for Dublin’s 18-month pilot of a drug consumption room, reporting that both its future and replication would be considered pending a review.

Cocaine

In September, it was revealed that cocaine ‘snuff kits’ were being openly sold in Dublin city centre.

According to The Sunday Times, an €18 pouch — containing a mirror, razor blade, snorting tube, vial and metal spoon — was displayed in a shop window on Talbot Street. The same item was also available on multiple websites, where sellers promoted it as their “most popular kit” without referring to cocaine.

While it is legal to sell such kits, possessing cocaine can currently carry a penalty of up to 12 months in prison and/or a €2,500 fine.