Press release
Minister of State Colm Burke launches report on Drug Use and Current Alternatives to Coercive Sanctions in Ireland
From Department of Health
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The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke, today launched a report on Drug Use and Current Alternatives to Coercive Sanctions in Ireland.
The report identified and mapped nine current alternatives in Ireland to coercive sanctions for people who are found in possession of controlled drugs for personal use. These initiatives include the Garda Adult Caution Scheme, Diversionary measures, the Dublin Drug Treatment Courts and the Law Engagement and Assisted Recovery (LEAR) Programme.
The nine initiatives reflect Ireland’s move towards a health-led response to drug use, an approach also endorsed by the recent Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use.
Evidence from other countries shows that alternatives to coercive sanctions have shown promising evidence in reducing drug use and lowering reoffending. Today’s report highlights enthusiasm among the judiciary, probation workers and other stakeholders in Ireland for alternative pathways for people found in possession of illicit drugs for personal use.
However, it also highlights the disparity in geographical coverage of these programmes, a lack of widespread knowledge about existing initiatives and an absence of data to assess their effectiveness.
The report, produced by the Centre for Justice Innovation, was commissioned and published by Strategic Implementation Group 5 (SIG-5), a subcommittee within the National Drugs Strategy structures, with responsibility for implementing actions relating to alternatives to coercive sanctions.
Minister Burke said:
"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.
"This 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.
"I’d like to thank the members of SIG-5 for their work on this important research which will help inform the evolution of our drugs policy. As Minister with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I fully committed to ensuring that we move forward with a health-led approach that reduces harms and provides measurable benefits to the lives of everyone affected by the misuse of drugs."
The independent chair of SIG-5 Tony Duffin said:
"This report not only maps the current landscape of alternatives to coercive sanctions in Ireland, it also highlights a growing willingness among practitioners to expand these options further.
"As our National Drug Strategy approaches its conclusion in 2025, I’m confident that policymakers will carefully consider the insights provided here to ensure accessible, cost-effective and efficient alternatives to criminal penalties."
Photography from the launch event will be issued by Simon Peare Photography.
Drug Use and Current Alternatives to Coercive Sanctions in Ireland Report
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The launch of this report includes presentations by Tony Duffin, Chair of Strategic Implementation Group 5; Dawn Russell, Director of Services, Ana Liffey Drug Project; and Lisa Larkin, Head of Services, Coolmine TC. Interview requests for these speakers should be directed to Tony Duffin at tony.duffin@aldp.ie
Interview requests for Minister Burke should be directed to press_office@health.gov.ie
Following the midterm review of the national drug strategy in 2021, six strategic priorities were identified, with an implementation group set up to progress each priority. Strategic Implementation Group 5 is focussed on promoting alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences.
The European Commission’s Study on alternatives to coercive sanctions as a response to drug law offences and drug related crimes categorised the initiatives it found among all 28 EU states into 13 distinct types.
These were defined as:
- caution/ warning / no action
- diversionary measure
- Drug Addiction Dissuasion Committee
- suspension of investigation/ prosecution with a treatment element
- suspension of court proceedings with a treatment element
- suspension of sentence with a treatment element
- drug court
- drug treatment
- probation with a treatment element
- community work with a treatment element
- restriction of liberty with a treatment element
- intermittent custody/ release with a treatment element
- parole/ early release with a treatment element