Irish Examiner view: Drugs law reform poses big questions

Decriminalising users

Used needles and drug-related items on a street a few yards from the Four Courts in Dublin City. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin intended a helpful intervention when he declared a level of support for the decriminalisation of drugs and backed calls from within his own party for a “health-led” approach.

Among the ideas suggested is that recreational users could access their substance of choice in a “off licence”-style outlet which would control the chemical composition of the drugs and limit the ability of gangsters to make vast fortunes.