Proposals for Government suggest possession should be similar to road traffic offence.
Ireland should follow the example of Portugal and offer counselling and other assistance to people caught by gardaí with small quantities of drugs rather than prosecute them, a new report for Government by an Oireachtas committee is proposing.
People found with drugs including cannabis, heroin and cocaine would face a civil or administrative response rather than a criminal justice one.
The proposals come just days after Minister in charge of the National Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said a more liberal and progressive attitude towards illegal drugs was needed in the Republic.
He told The Irish Times medically supervised injection rooms “will happen next year” and said the “stigma” and “shame” around being addicted to drugs needed to come to an end.
In Portugal, people caught with up to 10 days supply of drugs are sent before a dissuasion commission to discuss the reasons they are consuming the substances.
Source: Conor Lally, The Irish Times, 05/11/15
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