Stricter controls to help gardaí in tackling street dealing of prescription drugs are to be fast-tracked and brought before the Dáil in the coming weeks.
The proposed ban on the unauthorised possession of the drugs, including benzodiazepines, comes following concerns over the growing trade in the drugs in Dublin’s inner city. Health Minister Simon Harris told the Irish Examiner that long- awaited legislation would be enacted before the summer recess.
The development comes as Taoiseach Enda Kenny prepares to visit Dublin’s inner city this week, following a spate of gangland-linked murders there. There has been a rise recently in numbers presenting with addiction problems with benzodiazepines and overdoses linked to the tranquilliser.
Gardaí say crime gangs are trying to run the supply of its trade and so-called z-drugs, which are hypnotic sedatives.
Benzodiazepines and z- drugs are controlled under existing misuse of drugs legislation whereby it is illegal to sell them without a prescription. Extending this legislation will make it an offence to possess the drugs without a prescription.
Source: Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, 07/06/16
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