Politicians 'must show courage to oversee decriminalisation of drugs'

Chairperson Paul Reid speaking at The Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use at Dublin Castle. Picture date: Saturday May 13, 2023.

Politicians will need to show courage and leadership to oversee ‘effective decriminalisation’ in the biggest shakeup of Irelands drug laws in the history of the state.

Paul Reid, the chairman of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use told the Irish Examiner that the assembly report published on Thursday recommends a “decriminalised” model for anyone caught in possession of drugs for personal use, while still keeping possession illegal under the law.