Majority of youths back regulation of cannabis

Nearly six out of 10 young people in Ireland believe the sale of cannabis should be regulated, according to a European survey.

A European Commission poll of 28 member states found that 56% of 15-24-year-olds here said the cannabis market should be regulated, with 43% saying it should remain illegal. The position is almost a reverse of the EU average, where 45% said cannabis should be regulated and 53% said it should continue to be banned.

The Flash Eurobarometer found that Ireland and Italy had the joint second highest percentage in favour of regulation, with the Czech Republic way ahead at 71%. In Britain, 46% of young people were in favour.

Published on UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the poll this month interviewed more than 13,000 Europeans aged between 15 and 24, including 500 in Ireland.

In relation to cannabis use among those surveyed, it found:

- 42% had taken the drug in Ireland, compared with an EU average of 31%.

- 16% had taken it in the last 30 days, more than double the EU average (7%).

- 12% had smoked cannabis in the last year (EU 10%).

- 14% had taken it, but more than a year ago (EU 14%).

The much higher figure for current usage (within the last 30 days) may come as a surprise to drug experts as previous research has shown a reduction in cannabis usage in younger age groups. The Irish rate is the highest of the 28 countries, with France and Slovenia next at 13% and Britain at 8%.

The barometer also shows Ireland is the highest in the EU for usage of so-called new substances, or what were known as legal highs when they were sold in headshops. Some 22% said they had used these drugs, compared with 18% in the EU. Of these, 4% said they had taken them in the last 30 days (EU 1%); 5% in the last year (3%); while 13% said they had used it more than a year ago (4%).

Ireland’s heavy use of new substances has been reported by EU bodies several times previously.

Respondents said it was significantly easier in Ireland to get drugs. Some 72% said it was easy to get cannabis, compared with 58% of the average European.

On other drugs, 48% said it was easy to get ecstasy (EU 23%), 36% said it was easy to get cocaine (EU 25%), while 34% said it was easy to get new substances (EU 25%).

Asked about risk, 59% of Irish young people said regular use of cannabis was “high risk”, compared with the EU average of 63%.

Debate sought

Social justice campaigner Fr Peter McVerry yesterday called on the Government to have a “rationale debate” on the criminalisation of drug users.

He said the “bottom line” was that the current approach to illegal drugs was “not working” and that alternatives should be calmly discussed and examined.

The veteran homelessness activist was speaking at an event to mark an international campaign, Support Don’t Punish, which is calling for the decriminalisation of drug use.

The campaign was held in some 80 cities across the world yesterday and was organised by NGOs and voluntary bodies, including Students for Sensible Drug Policy in Ireland.

Events were held in eight locations here: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Belfast, Ennis, Athlone and Wexford.

“To me it is common sense to support drug users, rather than send them to jail, which is also a waste of money,” said Fr McVerry. “My objective is to reduce the amount of drug use, by providing treatment, which is far more effective.

“The bottom line is that what we are doing is not working. More and more drugs are available in more and more towns and villages, so let’s sit down and look at the alternatives.”