Paul McAuliffe: Decriminalising drugs would be an empathetic and pragmatic solution

'Making legislative changes to ensure those suffering from drug addiction are sufficiently supported to overcome their addiction and trauma will require that same compassion and empathy.'

Government last week gave approval for a Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use to be held this year with the work of the assembly commencing in April. This is an important step in having a difficult conversation for Irish society.

In an attempt to encourage this start the conversation, Fianna Fáil produced a three part podcast series, Drugs and Ireland in which I examined drug use in Ireland and heard from people with a range of different opinions on the issue. My colleague Deputy James Lawless recently chaired the Joint Committee on Justice report on the present approach to sanctions for possession of certain amounts of drugs for personal use.