The possibility of a plan to decriminalise small quantities of drugs has sparked predictable howls of outrage and siren warnings.
The proposal, backed by key Fine Gael figures such as the Taoiseach, Minister for Health and Minister for Drugs, could mean that if a person is caught carrying small amounts of cannabis, cocaine or heroin this would no longer be a criminal offence.
So, does this mean – as some suggest – that a new generation of young people are at risk of becoming drug-addled dropouts?
It’s time to get a grip. Decriminalisation would not provide younger people with a free pass to go wild. Nor would it create a culture of acceptability to take drugs freely, in any amount. It is vital to understand that decriminalisation is not legalisation. It’s simply about facing up to the harsh truth that people take drugs.
Source: Jennifer Purcell, The Irish Times, 25/07/17
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