Government worried decriminalising drugs will lead to 'surge'

The Government is being warned that decriminalising small amounts of drugs could lead to a 'surge' in young drug users.

Minister Aodhán O'Ríordán wants to change the law so people who are caught with drugs for personal use only will not face prosecution.

The idea was recommended by the Oireachtas Justice Committee and is based on a model already in use in Portugal.

However The Sunday Times claims hospital consultants are worried that discussion here has over-emphasised the positive results elsewhere.

They say decriminalisation has been proven to lead to a rise in cannabis use among teenagers in other nations.