Draft drugs strategy prioritises health over enforcement — but at what cost?

A draft drugs strategy signals a health-led shift, but raises questions about policing, poverty, and community voices

An action in the draft version of the next national drugs strategy states that it will 'support interventions' which reduce the availability and impact of illicit drugs in communities. But it is silent on what these could be. File picture: An Garda Síochána

A draft version of the next national drugs strategy firmly signals a move to a health approach to the drugs issue — with noticeably less emphasis on the role of justice or the gardaí.

This is arguably in line with the wish of many people, organisations and groups that have spoken to various committees and the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use and/or produced research or advocacy documents.