Gardaí and the DPP are examining applying cautions rather than pursuing criminal prosecutions for people caught in possession of drugs for personal use.

The Cannabis Risk Alliance, a group of 20 senior doctors from across the medical community, has said cannabis is now the most common illegal drug involved in new treatment episodes in the country’s addiction centres and psychiatric hospitals.

A child psychiatrist and drug addiction expert has warned the State against decriminalising the possession of cannabis, or any drugs, for personal use

From young people stoned “all day long” to life-changing health benefits — the pros and cons of cannabis are scrutinised in a probing TG4 documentary due to air tomorrow night.

With probably one of the best-known brand slogans in the world, it is unsurprising Carlsberg proved wiliest at circumventing local regulations designed to protect children from alcohol advertising during Euro 2016.

The number of people treated for abusing former headshop drugs dropped dramatically following the introduction of laws effectively banning the trade, research indicates.

A new study of people being treated for heroin use found that some of those who also had drink issues cut their alcohol intake when screened for excessive drinking by a GP.

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Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

A senior HSE psychiatrist has strongly criticised a Private Members’ Bill currently going through the Oireachtas relating to medicinal cannabis, claiming “at best, it is an example of using an industrial jack-hammer to crack open a peanut and at worst it is a Trojan horse”.

Having experienced an emotional year split between tragedy and triumph, Mouse Morris reflects on the dark days and then the poignant National wins. Declan Colley takes it all on board.

The ban on so-called legal highs is working, according to one of the country’s leading child and adolescent psychiatrists, but “spikes” in usage are to be expected.

The number of young people being treated for the side effects of headshop drugs has dropped significantly.

A law criminalising the possession or sale of headshop drugs appears to have had the desired effect of reducing usage among young people who had been using in a problematic way, according to a study by researchers at Trinity College Dublin.

An alliance of doctors, HSE experts, youth leaders,and campaigners are backing an Oireachtas Health Committee report on the forthcoming Alcohol Bill.

Rather than turning a blind eye, parents need to give a clear message about the dangers of underage drinking, a child and adolescent psychiatrist tells Helen O’Callaghan.

A survey shows that 16-25 year olds are far more sensible than their parents. Caomhan Keane gets a handle on Generation Zero.

Almost all newspaper reports on alcohol-related deaths fail to mention the deceased’s level of drinking, according to research.

Many lives will be lost unnecessarily to suicide and many others will self-harm due to the Government’s slow reaction to addressing the problem of alcohol abuse in Ireland, a leading suicide expert has warned.

Senior health and community figures are calling on the Government to end the “drift” on its long-promised alcohol policy when a key Cabinet group meets today.

Drinks giant Diageo is standing firm on its plans for Arthur’s Day despite growing pressure to abandon the promotion.

Doctors have launched a scathing attack on an annual event that promotes Guinness, claiming alcohol-related illnesses in Ireland have reached “epidemic” proportions.

Teenagers who have built up drug debts are being intimidated with guns, according to an expert in adolescent drug treatment.

Ireland operates as a “conveyor belt” for the alcohol industry with 60,000 children starting to drink every single year, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Drug debts are leading to suicides in parts of Dublin amid warnings that increased use of cannabis weed has led to some young people owing thousands of euro.

Parents who introduce their teenage children to drink in the home, in an effort to foster responsible use of alcohol, are not doing them any favours in the long run, an expert in the field says.

International research on drinking indicates that Irish society would benefit from a minimum price being set for alcohol.

Treatment services are alarmed at the “escalating” use of potent herbal cannabis among young people and “massive” debts they are building up.

THE advertising watchdog has told Guinness they can’t run a rugby ad again because it linked the drink with sporting success and greatness.

TEENS abusing alcohol are more likely to buy leading brands such as Budweiser and Smirnoff rather than the cheapest or strongest drinks, according to research.

THE number of young people presenting with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) more than trebled over a 12-year-period, leading research experts have said.

ADOLESCENTS cannot be “inoculated” from risky behaviour such as taking drugs and drinking alcohol, a conference has heard.

ALMOST 100 people are dying every month in an “alcohol epidemic” drowning the country, the Government’s medical expert has warned.

There are renewed calls for a total ban on alcohol advertising and sponsorship.

IN A society all too familiar with the consequences of alcohol abuse it may be hypocritical to argue for new controls to regulate a relatively new source of recreational drug substitutes.

ONE of the country’s main treatment services for child and teenage drug users has seen a 40% increase in referrals amid growing concern over products available from head shops.

There has been a marked increase in the numbers of young people seeking help after using head shop products.

THE country’s top drug adviser yesterday told parents giving their children a “free gaff” was a “disaster waiting to happen” in terms of drug use.

IN her letter headlined ‘Irish drink advert codes among strictest in the world’ (September 8), Rosemary Garth of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland suggests my concerns about Irish children being bombarded withadverts presenting alcohol in a positive light are not based on fact (Letters, August 31). Here are some facts.

IN his letter (August 31), Dr Bobby Smyth accuses the drinks industry of “bombarding” children with alcohol adverts, and questions our bona fides in regard to addressing alcohol misuse.

FIONNUALA Sheehan issued a vigorous defence of her drink aware website (Letters, August 11) following facts and opinions expressed by myself in a recent letter (August 4).

IN his letter (August 4) Bobby Smyth accuses the drinks industry of deception and dishonesty in our efforts to promote a more responsible attitude to alcohol consumption in Ireland.