Justice ministers and officials slammed for delays in introducing drug diversion programme 

Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use chairman Paul Reid said politicians need to 'step up', and that if something is considered really serious by ministers it 'gets priority'. Picture: PA

Department of Justice ministers and senior bosses have been criticised by the chairman of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use for failing to have a diversion programme for those caught in possession of drugs for personal use up and running.

Paul Reid said politicians need to “step up”, and that if something is considered really serious by ministers it “gets priority”.