Sir, – As the Government considers the recommendations from the citizens’ assembly on drug use, the most recent evidence from jurisdictions where decriminalisation has been made policy identifies a resulting surge in open drug use on city streets. This evidence must be scrutinised before similar policy changes are introduced in Ireland.
Harm-reduction measures, and comprehensively funded treatment and recovery centres, are essential to manage addiction problems. As important is ensuring that city streets are safe and convivial for all the citizens of the city, as well as visitors, to have the freedom to use and enjoy.
In Vancouver, the city is reported to be gripped by an opioid crisis, with locals stating that liberal laws have sparked a catastrophe. So critical has the situation become that David Eby, British Columbia’s premier, announced in April that halfway into the three-year trial, the province would recriminalise drug use in public spaces. A backlash from the police, politicians and the public is placing Mr Eby under pressure to scrap the pilot scheme altogether.
Police report that during the decriminalisation they had no power to approach and arrest drug users in hospitals, restaurants, parks and beaches. The police have been vocal in their objections, saying their hands are tied, leaving the wider community at risk.
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Portugal is another country that is revising its views on the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, a policy that was initially introduced in 2001.
While initial successes were reported with plummeting HIV transmission, prison populations and overdose rates, the policy is beginning to show its flaws. Streets are littered with drug paraphernalia, rates of crime in the city are reported to be on the rise, while police are unable to intervene.
In our haste to solve Ireland’s real problems with rising drug deaths, the evidence from other jurisdictions suggests that decriminalisation that allows open drug use on city streets will turn our city streets into harbingers of hell. In our vision to create cities that prioritise the security and wellbeing of all citizens, residents and visitors alike, we need to be clear that decriminalisation of open drug use on city streets is a failed experiment. We can do so much better. – Yours, etc,
Dr CATHERINE CONLON,
Ballintemple,
Cork.