State committee mulls drugs diversion scheme
A State committee examining Ireland’s laws on the possession of drugs for personal use is thought to be favouring a diversion scheme, the Irish Examiner understands.
The proposal would mean that the committee appears to be stopping short of recommending decriminalisation.
Under a diversion system, possession of drugs would remain a criminal offence, but people caught with small amounts of drugs for their own use would be sent by gardaí for “health intervention”, rather than face possible criminal prosecution.
The state working group on alternative approaches for personal possession of illegal drugs is expected to recommend legal changes, involving a more health- focused approach, though they might not go as far as some anticipated.
Source: Irish Examiner, January 29th 2019
