Legalisation of narcotics up for debate

STAUNCH opponents of drugs will clash with campaigners advocating the legalisation of narcotic substances at a controversial debate this evening.

The father of a man who jumped to his death from a third-floor balcony after consuming magic mushrooms will be among those arguing against legalising drugs.

Colm Hodkinson, aged 33, grew severely unwell within minutes of taking just a few hallucinogenic mushrooms for the first time at his apartment in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

His friends became worried when he suffered a drug-induced psychosis, leading to hallucinations.

He put his hands on the balcony and vaulted it jumping to his death, an inquest heard.

Health Minister Mary Harney immediately made the sale of ‘magic mushrooms’ illegal.

Two years on and Colm’s father, Eoin, will today face down promoters of the legalisation of drugs at a debate in Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

Among the advocates of narcotics, will be Cllr Luke ‘Ming the Merciless’ Flanagan, famed for his advocacy of cannabis. The controversial councillor will be joined by a director of a British group promoting the reform of drug laws, Danny Kushlick with the Transform Drugs Policy Foundation.

Among those present will also be a former heroin addict, US-born Patrick Karel Kroupa. The writer and computer hacker claims he got off heroin with the use of an hallucinogenic drug known as ibogaine.

The controversial speaker is also a member of a recognised religion, the Sacrament of Transition, an organisation whose initiation rituals involve the use of the hallucinogenic plant-related drug.

Advocates of drug use though will face strong opposition from the second in command of the Garda Drug Squad.

Detective Superintendent Barry O’Brien, the deputy head of the Garda National Drugs Unit, is expected to speak about the effects of narcotics on society and their role in crime.

The leading drug squad official and Mr Hodkinson will also be joined by Professor Joe Barry, with the college’s Department of Health.

Organising the debate, objectively, for students and members of the public alike was a challenge, said Barry Devlin, secretary with TCD’s philosophical society.

“It (the debate) will be about arguing about this and other governments’ policies in solving drug problems causing difficulties in society like dependency and the criminal nature of them.”

* The debate begins at 7.20pm in the Graduates Memorial Building, TCD.