International experience of drug use, will be considered.
A citizens' assembly on drug use is expected to get under way in April.
Cabinet today approved the move, with the gathering due to discuss measures that could be introduced to reduce the harmful effects of drugs in individuals, families and society.
International experience, including the decriminalisation of drug use, will be considered.
Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Hildegarde Naughton, says it's important to hear from a broad range of individuals and organisations on the issue:
Welcoming today’s announcement on the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use Offaly Senator and Minister Pippa Hackett said: “We would all like to see the harmful impacts and heartbreak of illicit drugs on individuals, families and our wider communities reduced. I think we all know it’s a complex matter. Today’s commitment to the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly to consider what legislative, policy or operational changes could be made is a very welcome step in the right direction. It delivers on a Programme for Government commitment, advocated for by the Green Party. Citizen’s Assemblies are becoming an important component of our democratic process, and I welcome the recent changes to widen the selection process so that participants are as representative of wider society as possible. While 99 people will be selected to join the assembly, 20,000 households will receive an invite to apply. If you are one of the lucky ones I encourage you to indicate your willingness to take part; you could be part of a significant change for the betterment of us all.”
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