This petition is to support the push for full decriminalization of the possession of personal use amounts of all drugs in Ireland. We believe that drug use and issues surrounding it should be dealt with from a health perspective and criminal/justice systems should be targeting suppliers and not the users.

In 2019 Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) Council have voted to maintain their support for the decriminalisation of recreational drugs. The motion allows the union to lobby for the decriminalisation of drugs.

In 2018 The Students Union of University College Cork (UCC) voted unanimously to introduce drug checking kits at the university after the initiative was pushed for by Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). Last year a referendum to mandate the SU to lobby the college and state in support of decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use for those over 18 was passed by over 70% in favour.

There were 156 killed on the roads in 2017, and this number has been trending downwards for a number of reasons, mainly the factor that the state is aware of the problem and putting in measures to reduce fatalities. Since many people are aware of the ads and measures to combat road deaths, these figures offer an interesting comparison to drug-related deaths which are much higher but there is little to no public awareness of the scale of the issue. In 2017 there were 786 drug-related deaths, rising from 772 in 2016. Importantly, prescribed drugs are implicated in two-thirds of all deaths. Drug misuse and addiction is a very real problem in Ireland. The AA approach tells us that our first step is to recognise this. Link here.

Anna Quigley, coordinator of Citywide, said of the 16,960 drugs offences recorded by the Central Statistics Office in 2017, 12,211 were possession for personal use. “A change in the law will also be a step in reducing the criminalisation and stigmatisation of our most disadvantaged communities and addressing the serious economic and social issues that lead to the devastating impact of drug-use and the drugs trade. The evidence shows that our current approach of criminalising people for possession of drugs does not reduce the overall levels of drug-use in society. What it does do is increase the difficulties and challenges for a person trying to address their drug-use.” said Ms Quigley.

Former Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan was strongly opposed to any plan for decriminalisation. In 2019 an expert report on the personal possession of illegal drugs was published but did not recommend decriminalisation. There are three main recommendations. The first is for one adult caution, the second for a system of multiple adult cautions and the third centres on a diversion programme whereby drug users would be directed towards potential health interventions. Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said: “The approach that appears to be favoured falls short of what campaigners have been advocating for, an entirely health-led approach to drug use and addiction. The delay of a year speaks to the prioritisation of the issue at the heart of Government. Use of adult caution at the behest of a Garda superintendent is still operating in the bankrupt practice of a moralistic approach and victim blaming.” Link

Decriminalizing drugs work. Look at Portugal.

In July of 2001, Portugal decriminalized possession and use of illegal drugs, instead, they focused on treatment and prevention. This led to massive reductions in drug use, prison overcrowding, overdoses, and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Annual Drug-induced deaths were cut in half.

HIV cases lowered by nearly 72%

65% reduction in court cases.

400% increase in rehab treatment.

Now has the lowest drug rate of any western country at 0.9%

Link to the DrugPolicy Alliance evaluation of Drug Decriminalization in Portugal