Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 2 Jul 2024
THERE IS AN “appetite” in Ireland for alternatives to coercive sanctions in drug possession cases, according to a report launched by the Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy today.
Speaking at the launch of the report on Drug Use and Current Alternatives to Coercive Sanctions in Ireland, Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke told The Journal that the Department of Health is working towards a health-led approach on the area of drug use.
The new report on alternative responses to imprisonment, known as ACSs, has said Ireland is “at the precipice” of “transforming how its justice system responds to drug use in a more effective and humane way”.
The report was conducted by a UK-based charity called the Centre for Justice Innovation and is based on a survey and interviews with practitioners or managers from a number of organisations with a role in responding to drug use.
It identifies nine existing services that fall under five categories defined by a European Commission study on alternatives to coercive sanctions:
Other types of responses that the European Commission had identified elsewhere in the European Union include suspension of investigations or court proceedings with a treatment element; probation, community work or restriction of liberty with a treatment element; and intermittent custody/release or parole/early release with a treatment element.
In a statement marking the release of the report, Burke said that drug use is a “serious health issue with long-term implications not just for the person who uses illicit drugs, but for their family and the community around them”.
“This report shows the enthusiasm for a health-led response, one which diverts people away from courts and prisons and instead towards effective programmes that support their rehabilitation and reduce their likelihood of reoffending,” Burke said.
“As Minister with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I fully committed to ensuring that we move forward with a health-led approach that reduces harms and provides measurable benefits to the lives of everyone affected by the misuse of drugs.”
The new report said that funding for drug treatment services that interact with the criminal justice system is stable and available across a wide range of areas in Ireland.
However, some services, like the Dublin Drug Treatment Court, rely on multiple sources of resources rather than on central funding, while the Cork Court Referral Programme relies on fining individuals to pay for court workers.
Another problem is that “organisational memories within the sector have faded significantly since Covid”, according to the report.
Knowledge of system-wide interventions and alternative to coercive sanctions have reduced. This has led to fewer people engaging with services such as Dublin Drug Treatment Court.
Some new stakeholders lack training and knowledge about alternatives.
Despite the challenges, interviewees from the organisations felt there is a promising environment for change in Ireland’s use of alternatives to coercive sanctions in the wake of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use.
“This environment has provided Ireland with a unique opportunity to expand ACSs and particularly the availability of pre and point-of-arrest diversion,” the report notes.
“Despite challenges that may arise from cultural hesitancy, and the task of adapting systems to enable data sharing and evaluation for this model, the potential for change in the current framework of opportunities is hugely promising.”
Speaking this morning at the launch of the report, Burke said that it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on the findings of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, as it currently before an Oireachtas Committee.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use provided 36 recommendations. On June 13, the Oireachtas Committee held its first public meeting. The committee is to provide a “reasoned response to all 36 recommendations made by the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use within a seven-month time frame”.
Chair of the citizens’ assembly, Paul Reid, spoke before the committee and said that he believes the two-volume report is “the most thorough and far-reaching examination of drug use undertaken in the history of the State”.
“The citizens’ assembly recommendations support specific measures for implementation including, for example, a decriminalised model, pivoting from a reliance on a criminal justice response to a comprehensive health-led response. We have described this as an Irish model for the Irish problem of illicit drug use,” he said.
Burke, who was appointed to the role in April by Taoiseach Simon Harris, spoke of now-retired Judge Olann Kelleher’s work in Cork, where he spearheaded a diversion initiative in which 189 young people avoided a drugs conviction for possession of cocaine by taking part in an educational programme, as well as paying a small fine that was directed towards funding the programme.
Last week, The Journal reported that numbers in Irish prisons surpassed 5,000 for the first time ever. The minister said that initiatives like that of Judge Kelleher’s, in intervening with people who face addiction issues before they face criminal convictions is important, but also assisting those after leaving prison.
“This is what Judge Olann Kelleher has done, the difference is if he imposed one conviction on one of those people, the likelihood is that the person will be back in a second and third time which would eventually lead to an imprisonment term,” he said.
“But it’s about also helping people within prison. The problem is not about when they’re in prison, it’s the follow-up after they leave prison. Who is their contact?”
Where do they access that healthcare when they leave prison? A lot are actually people who don’t have any fixed place to go when they leave, and I think that’s one of the issues that we need to be conscious of as well.”
Chair of SIG-5 and CEO of Ana Liffey Drug Project, Tony Duffin, presented the report this morning alongside Director of Services at Ana Liffey Drug Project Dawn Russell, Head of Services at Coolmine TC Lisa Larkin, Senior Innovative Practice Officer at the Centre for Justice Innovation Jason Kew, and Research Officer at the Centre for Justice Innovation Carla McDonald-Heffernan.
With additional reporting by Emma Hickey.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Thoughts and prayers with that young girl that was fatally assaulted in Welford last night/ horrific story
@Frank Mc Carthy
the Irish times that it was a woman.
Either way, terrible news.
@Frank Mc Carthy: you where so excited to post you got the age and place wronh
@Niall Lappin: that’s a pretty disgusting comment even for the Journal. RTÉ report an 8 year old girl had died.
@Niall Lappin: even a modecum of respect??? An 8 Yr old girl in Welford has tragically & violently lost her life
@Frank Mc Carthy: WEXFORD…..apologies….R.I.P
@Niall Lappin: wow, that’s fairly sick & vile
@Niall Lappin: hope you’re proud of yourself…knobrot
@Frank Mc Carthy: new Ross,a truly terrible thing to happen
@Niall Lappin: R.I.P. Malikika , her young life extinguished protecting her mother. Rest easy now child
I posted this elsewhere but maybe more relevant here (or not LOL)!
As a good deal of people seemed disappointed by the last government as constructed, could there be a government of national unity?
Or, fall into the same format as last time and ruin the chances of the minority party in subsequent future elections?
Alternatively, a government excluding FFG, comprised of the elected smaller party and individuals? Obviously the latter ‘could’ be unstable due to differences but it could also change the tide of politics in Ireland. Especially, if they managed to look after the homeless and build houses through direct labour and not being ripped off by building companies (who are famous for building bicycle sheds).
@Con Cussed: arithmetic not your strongest subject?
@Lesidees: LOL, there’s 174 seats, FFG combined not expected to have 88 seats. So assuming they get 80+ (or slights over but don’t make the magical 88, then there are at least 88 seats available to the opposition. Do the maths ;0)
@Con Cussed: Doesn’t matter, we’re incapable of building anything functional.
@Con Cussed: the left can not agree on anything and u would need all right leaning independents so never going to happen.
The left are smart u couldn’t go in with SF as they plan this far has Ben to cannibalise the left parties such as labour and doc dems
@Thesaltyurchin: @john purcell: Can’t disagree with anything you’re saying. However, if these guys want to see something different there will have to be give and take, otherwise FFG will be back in power with some minnow. FF & FG have never fixed the big issues of homelessness and housing, so maybe a group thrown together might have a better chance, can they do worse?
@Con Cussed: you laughed at someone to do the math, now I’m asking you to do the logic… as you’ve alluded to within your original post, the formation would likely be unstable, almost definitely too unstable. FFG look likely to get within 2 seats if 88, all they need is 2 indos. An opposition would have to get every single independent on board. Even if possible the structure would likely collapse within weeks if not days of being formed. I’m not against them trying it, but seems destined to end in failure.
@TheGood Feign: The odds are completely stacked against such an outcome as you rightly state. It would take all of the opposition to FFG to conclude an agreement. Some of those elected know they’ll never get in with FFG, so they might be open to it. Then the question would be how long might it last?
@Con Cussed: I suggested this a week ago, we have a National crisis in Homeless & Housing & now Public Services. It won’t be solved by Parties left, right or centre as they all try to fit in their ideologies, what’s needed is consensus on a National scale to solve a National crisis. I felt after the crash last time out, we should have had a National Govt as at that stage we lost our Sovereignty. I believe the onus & pressure on this next Govt is huge, failure to deliver on bread & butter issues from Cost of Living, Insurance, Housing, Health, Homelessness & Immigration, will see the people turn on all political classes as people see no hope. In mentioning Immigration, I am not anti Immigration, but we need to apply the rules, we cannot realistically help all those coming.
@Con Cussed: to get to 88 would mean all the independents, aontú, II, PBP, Labour, SD, Green, and SF agreeing on something….
@Con Cussed: labour will go in with fffg,they say no now but trust me that will change once they get a few ministers
@sean weir: the issue is SF are not a left wing party. Labour and SD are very left of center and their climate and immigration views are completely diff.
While most on here don’t want to see a FF/FG gov the reason is that the left should have formed a block prior to the election so that ppl could vote for them.
SF are looking for the left vote and are trying to destroy labour and the sock dems. They can’t go after the middle class FF/FG vote as it will destroy their base.
@Con Cussed: Dream on most outdoors and opposition wouldn’t agree to split €5
@TheGood Feign: Hell would freeze over before Social Democrats or Labour would ever dream forming a government with Independent Ireland or Aontú & vice versa. FFG have it unfortunately.
@SV3tN8M4: Indeed it would mean the parties putting the people first. It would be stronger than any other type of coalition as it would be bigger and as such could manage the minor entities pulling the plug, who might be the eventual loser in a subsequent election. The issue will always be the breakdown of government ministerial posts and sub-functions of government. It would take balls by those elected to form. All of the points raised need addressing but those who have been in power in the past haven’t addressed them, will they in the future?
The coalition with just need around five independents, Bacik and Holly can do on.
@Dan Murphy: woke utd! To replace woke greens
@Basildon Joe: WOKE WOKE WOKE. Jesus change the boring mantra Adolf. The world has changed, live with it
it was fine to mention immigration topic before elections?
Open the comments at wexford news
@sakk sa: comments are always closed on crime stories
Can we get a demographic break down on those who didn’t vote? Working/not working would be a start
@Ben dover: It will be responsibly obvious from returns based on towns/neighbourhoods. I would also suggest that those in lower social demographic groups voted far less.
@Ben dover: exactly
If there was a party proposing a 50 % reduction in Job Seekers benefit then you can bet the electorate would be huge .
All out to vote against that “” Draconian “” proposal
@james rowan: No representation without taxation!
11 seats to be filled then it’s as you were lads,same rules apply.
The two Healy Raes, Michael Lowry and Verona Murphy. There’s 4 guaranteed to prop up a coalition. We’ll know fairly soon how many FF and FG need.
After the Green wipeout, SD and Labour don’t need to be told twice to steer clear of Government.
@Ronan Mc: anyone but the Healy Raes please.
@Ronan Mc: Think of them what you may, but Kerry is their priority – that’s why they keep being elected. The rest of them just look after their doners and cronies.
@Dermot Blaine:
The Healy Raes are certain to be in.
They are a cheap deal.
SDs or lab will want major changes in policy but all the likes of the Healy Raes etc want are a few new roadworks and people to stop applying planning and building regulations too rigorously.
@P. J.: The Healy Raes won’t be selected, guaranteed.
@P. J.: Healy Rae’s won’t be in ,they can squeeze more out of the government from outside the circle,plus it means they are not held accountable for anything fffg do
@P. J.: and a relaxation of the drink driving laws
Losing Stephen Donnelly is beyond devastating, a smile that could light up Wicklow
Must say the journal have done an excellent job reporting. Found the interactive map better than RTÉ. Fair play
The show is over but the obese lady is not singing.
I hope The Monk finds out who didn’t vote for him
@Fintan Pox:
Brendan and he also called him a bolli,,
The Smoked Salmon so called Socialist Labour party and the Social Democrats debating society will talk and talk to convince us why they can’t enter Government but bottom line they are political cowards who will put their own cushy jobs and income before the interest of the Irish people.
No surprise they are both talkers not doers.
@Tim Brennan: Why would they prop up a neo-liberal government? Labour would be nuts to prop up FFG. Political suicide. Soc Dems are no fools either. They both saw how FFG used the Greens as their patsy. Let them talk to Michael Lowry. He’s more their ilk.
Test
Stop the steal !!!
Not that I know anything about nothing …
I didn’t even read the article. Have seen nothing on French news. Hopefuly it will be over soon !
And then life can go on, whatever way it’s going …
Don’t need a bunker. I have an army bivouac and a mountain sleeping bag etc, 3 camping gas bottles, a burner etc. A couple of weeks of food and a crossbow.
And if that’s not enough : so be it
have your say