'Buy-in' of gardaí 'crucial' in expanding drug diversion programmes, report says

Department of Health report says there is 'very limited use' of the Garda Adult Caution Scheme for simple possession of cannabis, with 5,139 people were given a caution between December 2020 and February 2024, compared to 17,125 people being prosecuted.

Efforts need to be taken at a high level to “secure the buy-in” of gardaí to expand existing diversion projects at arrest stage for people caught in possession of drugs, according to a Department of Health report.

The report says there “seems to be an appetite” among probation services, court workers and some judges for an expansion, but there is typically a reluctance among gardaí in diverting people at arrest stage from the criminal justice system.