A representative of An Garda Síochána’s Organised and Serious Crime Unit has expressed concern at the possible legalization of drugs in Ireland at the first session of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use.
This morning, the 100 members of the assembly heard several speakers who raised national, European and international perspectives on drug use in relation to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, human rights, criminal justice and organized crime, reports RTE.
Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly told the town hall meeting that crime had increased overseas where this had happened.
He said legalization would lead to drug tourism (people traveling to drug use destinations), drug use in open spaces such as public parks, and drug driving.
Last year, 2,700 people were arrested for drug driving in Ireland.
Drug driving has doubled following the legalization of cannabis in Canada, according to the Assistant Garda Commissioner.
While some called for the state to regulate and tax the drug’s supply, they pointed out that cocaine was only manufactured by cartels in South America and that they were responsible for large numbers of deaths, reports RTE.
Giovanna Campello of the United Nations Prevention and Rehabilitation Section said evidence-based treatment had led to a reduction in drug use, overdoses and crime.
She explained that her organization’s mandate is to promote alternatives to sentencing.
Dr Eoghan Quigley from the European Surveillance Commission presents his latest annual review of the state of the drug in Europe.
Research has shown that stocks of the drug have recovered following the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked by a member whether drug seizures had a significant impact on supply, Dr. Quigley that seizures largely reflect police resources.
He cited the port of Antwerp in Belgium as a place where “a lot of cocaine is being seized and detected by police”, reports RTE.
Dr Quigley said this was due to an increase in resources for the Port Police and an increased focus on smuggling.
Thomas Cattou, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group, outlined the impact of drug use from a human rights perspective.
He said sustainable drug policies are important to upholding human rights and the challenge for governments is to ensure that their drug policies are effective in guaranteeing individual rights and public safety.
“Cutting the balance in these is difficult,” he said, reports RTE.
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