Ireland needs to find better ways to deal with illegal drug use – Varadkar

Chair Paul Reid and secretary of the assembly Cathal O Regan listen to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s video address at the inaugural meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly on drugs use (Maxwell Photography)

Ireland needs to find better ways to deal with illegal drug use, the Taoiseach has said at the outset of a new citizens’ assembly examining the problem.

The assembly, comprising 99 randomly selected citizens reflective of the Irish population and an independent chair, will explore issues related to illicit drug taking and submit a report to the Oireachtas by the end of 2023.