Cork TD 'fully committed' to ensuring Ireland has health-led approach to drug use 

A CORK TD has warned that the Government is facing major challenges in combating drug abuse, but pledged he is fully committed to ensuring that Ireland moves forward with a health-led approach to drug use.

Fine Gael’s Colm Burke, the minister of state for public health, wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy, cited the recent HRB report which showed a substantial increase in the number of people requiring treatment.

He described how drug use impacts families and the community as well as the individual and said he was contacted about one woman who paid €25,000 to drug dealers to try and clear her son’s debt so that they wouldn’t harm him.

Mr Burke made the comments ahead of launching a report today on drug use and current alternatives to coercive sanctions in Ireland.

Alternatives to sentencing 

The report identifies alternatives in Ireland to criminal sentencing for people who are found in possession of controlled drugs for personal use.

One alternative discussed in the report was the Cork Court referral programme, an initiative pioneered by Judge Olann Kelleher which was developed under local accord.

The programme, in operation since 2019, works as a partnership between the HSE South, probation and a drug treatment service, Coolmine, and has focused on diverting young cocaine users away from criminal prosecution and into health intervention programmes.

The funding is provided by a fine of €750, which the judge imposes on individuals who are diverted into the programme, though inability to pay does not preclude anyone from it.

By September 2023, 189 young cocaine users had been referred to the programme.

Initiatives like this reflect Ireland’s move towards a health-led response, an approach also endorsed by the recent Citizens’ Assembly on drugs use, and highlights enthusiasm among the judiciary, probation workers, and other stakeholders in Ireland for alternative pathways, the report added.

Challenges 

Speaking to The Echo ahead of the launch, Mr Burke said: “We’re moving towards a health-led approach in relation to drugs, but we have major challenges at the moment, the recent HRB report showed a substantial increase in the number of people requiring treatment.

“An example of some of the issues on my desk, I got a phone call from a woman who has paid over €25,000 out to drug dealers on behalf of her son, as he has already been seriously assaulted.

“Another had to move away from family home because their mother, in her mid-40s, and her partner are addicted to cocaine.”

Mr Burke added: “Drug use is a serious health issue with long-term implications not just for the person who uses illicit drugs, but for their family and the community around them.”

“The report shows the enthusiasm for a health-led response, one which diverts people away from courts and prisons and instead towards effective programmes that support their rehabilitation and reduce their likelihood of reoffending.”

Mr Burke said he was “fully committed” to ensuring that Ireland moves forward with this approach.

This shift in Ireland’s policy aligns with a broader trend in Europe, acknowledging drug use as a public health concern rather than solely a criminal issue.

Criminalisation of drug possession has shown to be ineffective in reducing drug use, the report said.

Working with various agencies is key to steering people away from drug abuse, Mr Burke said, explaining that the supervised injection centre due to open in Dublin at the end of this year was an example of a health-led measure.

“Technically, when people are going to that centre they will be carrying substances which are illegal under Irish law, but the gardaí and DPP have come onboard with that plan and we are working together to assist people,” said Mr Burke.