‘Drugs, Addiction & Decriminalisation’ – Lasair Dhearg announce new policy
Following a period of internal debate and discussion, Lasair Dhearg members have agreed upon a new policy paper titled ‘Drugs, Addiction & Decriminalisation’.
It is quite clear that various governments over many decades, across both states in Ireland, have so far failed to adequately tackle the issue of drug misuse and addiction. A complete lack of understanding of the issues, combined with an even greater lack of political intent or wherewithal, has left continued generations of Irish people to the ravages of addiction.
Significant resources channeled through both states’ criminalisation policies have so far failed those suffering from addiction and additionally contributed to their burden by criminalising those who did not set out to be ‘criminals’. The policy of treating drug misuse as a criminal issue has added stigma to those who might otherwise seek help and support through a health system.
The lack of sufficient funding for both states’ respective health systems, particularly for younger people, has only extended the suffering of those who have been willing to seek what little support exists. That lack of adequate resources, for mental health services in particular, fails those dealing with trauma related issues and consequently adds a significant burden on social structures.
Both states in Ireland are, through their lack of provision compounded by policy, complicit in the continued crisis of addiction. That policy of criminalisation, where drug users and addicts are punished and criminalised, should move instead to approaching the issue from a health perspective. Such an approach would allow the significant funds otherwise spent on such a policy to be injected into the relevant health system, which should then be adequately resourced to tackle the issue.
Complete decriminalisation of all drugs in personal possession – there are significant benefits to such an approach, not just in theory but in practice.
