Ireland: GPs and pharmacists support removal of criminal sanctions for drug users

The country’s GPs and pharmacists favour keeping the possession of drugs illegal — but strongly support the removal of criminal sanctions for drug users, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Both the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Irish Pharmacy Union said this form of decriminalisation must be implemented in parallel with a massive investment in drug treatment as well as mental health and community services.

The professional bodies were addressing the Oireachtas committee on drugs use, which was set up to examine the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use and compile a report for the Government.

Among its recommendations, the assembly recommended the decriminalisation of drugs — specifically an Irish-type model where drug possession would remain illegal but no criminal sanctions could be applied.

The assembly said people caught in possession of drugs should be referred by gardaí to a health intervention and, depending on their needs, further referral to services.