People Before Profit TD for Dublin Midwest Gino Kenny and Cllr Madeleine Johansson have welcomed the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use which has recommended that the state look at a policy change in favour of a health led approach when it comes to drug use. The Citizen’s Assembly concluded last weekend with votes by the members on various recommendations.
Gino Kenny TD said: “I want to welcome these progressive recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use. The recommendation that Ireland should change the status quo when it comes to drug use is progressive. While the recommendation does not explicitly state support for decriminalisation it is clear that the majority of people voted for alternative measures to criminalisation of drug use. It is a clear message to the government to change course in relation to six decades of the failed policy of criminalisation.
“It is now imperative that the government legislates for these recommendations as quickly as possible. This is a once in a generation opportunity that must be grasped in order to save lives and to chart a different course in drugs policy in this country. A large number of Assembly members also voted for the legalisation and regulation of Cannabis, this is something that could be very easily done by legislation.”
Cllr Madeleine Johansson added: “In my role as a councillor I sit on the board of the Clondalkin Drugs and Alcohol Task Force and I was delighted to see a recommendation from the Citizens’ Assembly to increase investment into prevention and education. Local drugs projects work tirelessly with very little funding to provide services for people in addiction and recovery. They also provide education and prevention services in schools and communities. It’s time for the government to recognise this work and increase core funding for these services immediately.”
