Subj: Ire: O'Donoghue rules out decriminalising drugs 



Source: The Irish Independent



Pubdate: 8 Dec 1998





O'Donoghue rules out decriminalising drugs 

By FERGUS BLACK 



JUSTICE Minister John O'Donoghue yesterday firmly ruled out

any move towards decriminalising drugs declaring it should not

happen in any circumstances. 



The Minister was commenting after the National Crime Forum

said it would be happy to see the issue discussed in a calm and

dispassionate manner. 



Mr O'Donoghue, who was presented with a copy of the

Forum's report, said the document did not come down on one

side or the other on the question of decriminalisation. 



AGAINST 



But he said that he personally was against the decriminalisation

of controlled substances, and would not go along with the idea. 



The Forum said it had received submissions for and against the

decriminalisation of some or all drugs. Those who advocated

such a course did so out of a conviction that it was the very

illegality of certain drugs which gave rise to many of the

problems arising from them. 



However, those opposed to the notion said the move would

encourage the use of drugs at a time when the need was to

discourage it. 



While most of the Forum members were open to persuasion on

the subject, they did not have an opportunity to undertake the

necessary study in depth which would enable them to reach an

informed judgment. 



"All agreed, however, that the issue was important and

required careful study. It is anticipated that this matter will be

more fully debated and the Forum would be happy to see the

issues discussed in a calm and dispassionate manner." 



Dealing with drugs and crime the report says that there was

considerable and understandable public concern at the damage

which the recent growth in drug abuse was doing. 



Those addicted to the use of opiates were tied into a habit

which could conservatively be estimated to cost them

IEP500 - IEP700 a week to maintain. 



"Since many of those in that situation are young people with

minimal means, that cost inevitably drives them to criminal

activity to find the money." 



An enormous task remained to identify those most at risk of

becoming involved in drugs and crime, targeting them with a

strategy of prevention and early intervention and establishing the

necessary treatment facilities at community level. 



The report says that perhaps the greatest disquiet related to

what was perceived, correctly or incorrectly, as a lack of

response in terms of Garda arrests and prosecutions. There

was, however, widespread agreement that the gardai were

doing an enormous amount of good work, both in enforcing the

law and diverting young people from a life of drug-related

crime. 



THREE MEASURES 



It was evident that any comprehensive approach to tackling the

problem involved three measures limitation of the supply,

reduction of the demand and treatment for those who became

involved with drug use. 



"The public is favourably disposed towards a firm policy on

bringing drug dealers to justice indeed, the public expects it.

Quite authoritarian measures are deemed acceptable in an effort

to combat what is perceived as the social blight of drugs." 



The biggest single contribution to reducing the scourge of drugs

would be an effective drive to remove social and economic

disadvantage within certain communities. 



Partnership approaches involving the community, local

authorities, health boards, gardai, youth services and other

agencies were strongly advocated in submissions.