Irish Examiner view: Drug reformers may suffer buyers’ remorse

Many believe drug use should be regarded as a health issue rather than dragging users through the criminal justice system. But experience from abroad may prompt some second thoughts 

The use of cannabis has been legalised in a growing number of countries, while the possession of small quantities of all drugs has been decriminalised in places such as Oregon in the US and Portugal. Picture: David Lucas/Getty

What continuing lessons will Ireland take from countries which have decriminalised the personal use of recreational drugs?

During the Citizens’ Assembly meetings, which delivered the recommendation that people found in possession should be diverted to a health-led system rather than into the arms of criminal justice, much was made of Portugal as an exemplar. Assembly chair Paul Reid went so far as to name check the Portuguese model as the version Ireland should follow.