Criminalisation of personal possession of drugs 'simply not working', committee told

The committee heard that European countries that are trying regulation, like Germany, Luxembourg and Malta, are putting the emphasis on small cannabis clubs, rather than the free market. File picture: Getty

The criminalisation of the personal possession of drugs was introduced with “good intentions” but the data shows the policy “is simply not working”, the Oireachtas Drugs Committee has heard.

The special committee has been set up to consider the report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs, which recommended the decriminalisation of the possession of all drugs for personal use and the diversion of people to health services.