Ireland is falling behind on drugs policy. We must choose health over punishment
Ireland is falling behind on drugs policy. We must choose health over punishment - The Labour Party
Dublin Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin today convened the first meeting of a new European Parliament group working for a progressive EU-wide drugs policy. The group brings together MEPs who will share best practice and promote measures at European level to decriminalise drug users and move towards health-led policies.
Speaking after the meeting, Ó Ríordáin said:
“Ireland is falling behind many other parts of the rest of Europe when it comes to progressive drugs policy. Countries like Portugal took the brave step more than two decades ago to decriminalise personal possession. The result was fewer deaths, fewer HIV cases, and more people in treatment. They chose health over punishment, and the evidence shows it works.
“In Ireland, we know what is possible. When Labour was in government, while I was Minister responsible for drugs policy, we secured the first supervised injection facility. It opened last year and is already saving lives. But one facility is not a policy. Progress has stalled, and the current government has allowed the wider debate about decriminalisation to drift completely off the agenda.
“We must begin treating drug use as a public health issue, not a criminal one. It means properly funding treatment services, expanding harm-reduction facilities beyond Dublin – to cities like Limerick and Cork – and creating real pathways into housing, employment, and support for those dealing with addiction.
“Portugal has shown us the way, and other EU states like Czechia are moving in the same direction – but our government have gone to ground when it comes to progressive drugs policy.
“Ireland cannot afford to stay an outlier. The criminalisation of people who use drugs is not only ineffective — it is inhumane. Now is the time for courage, for compassion, and for evidence-led policy. Europe is moving forward, and Ireland should not be left behind.”