The Debrief
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
The Clare Byrne Show on Newstalk. With Aviva Insurance.
Now it's time for the debrief. We're going to look back on some of the big stories of the week gone by. Today I'm joined by Europe correspondent for Euronews, Shona Murray, Professor of Politics at DCU, Donnach O'Bacon and columnist and author, Carl Kinsland. Thank you all for coming in this Friday morning. We're going to start with the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use this week recommending that possession of all drugs for personal use should be decriminalised and that was a proposal not without controversy. Shona, what do you think of that idea?
Yeah, well, I mean, first of all, I'd say that having covered those OCTUS committees, they do have a lot of substance to them, you know, that they have experts there who know what they're talking about, who have experience in dealing with drug addiction and whether or not criminalising people for possession of small amounts of drugs, whether that actually works in terms of deterrence. So, first of all, you'd sort of take these findings into account. And then the second thing is, I do understand that a person, if they are involved in taking drugs... that the last thing they need is a criminal record if they want to try to turn their life around in the future. And that includes travelling to other jurisdictions and also in terms of having a criminal record and trying to get a new job.
That's a real preventative. And also is it would maybe turn them off and trying out a new life because they think there's too many obstacles in the road ahead. I obviously understand that it could be a slippery slope because maybe you're turning too much of a blind eye to drug taking.
And it normalises what is ultimately risky behaviour.
Well, it may do, but I think people who want to engage in risky behaviour and taking drugs are going to do that anyway, if they're going down to a festival or whatever it is, if they're young. But I do also think that it's a bit scattergun. I prefer to see much more emphasis on how to deal with people who are in long-term drug abuse, such as people who are of or taking heroin for several years. There's not enough addiction services. People are being given methadone and they're walking around the streets like zombies. I mean, that's the type of thing I'd be tackling.
What controversial recommendation did the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use make?
And there are obviously countries all around Europe, like the Netherlands, where, you know, you... Similarly, there is a I would say it's not actually called decriminalisation, but it's it's allow it doesn't criminalise people for small amounts of personal quantity of drugs, whether it's cannabis. They separate cannabis from sort of hard drugs. And it seems to be working in that way because but I just think the emphasis should be more on dealing with people who have drug abuse problems. And I would see maybe I would probably agree that maybe decriminalisation should. for the greater good of people and the future that they can have is something I would endorse. Do you agree with that, Donika?
Because this came off the back of a Citizens' Assembly, didn't it? This recommendation which was examined then by the committee and they have agreed with the Citizens' Assembly.
Yeah, and though I heard this morning that that recommendation may not be implemented, it seems to be having difficulty getting through, I think, the legislature. It has been tried elsewhere.
What are the implications of decriminalizing drug possession for personal use?
I mean, in Portugal, from 2001, they've decriminalized possession for personal use, which is, I think, enough for 10 days. They're still very – and I think sometimes there are misperceptions around this. They're still very strong on going after people who are involved in the procurement, the supply, traffickers. That's all there. And it doesn't mean that people can shoot up in the middle of the street. It's still a violation. It's an administrative violation. It's just not a criminal offense. You don't get a criminal record. And I think the attitude is that, look – and I heard a conversation earlier in the show where you were talking about the term junkie and whether people really choose junkies.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–2:05
2
What controversial recommendation did the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use make?
2:05–2:58
3
What are the implications of decriminalizing drug possession for personal use?
2:58–13:00
4
How does the approach to drug use in Portugal differ from Ireland?
13:00–17:13
5
What challenges does Ireland face in implementing drug decriminalization?
17:13–17:59