ireland to decriminalize (small amounts of drugs)personal use

Are you a "user" yourself Tony?

we decriminalised heroin in small amounts ??

fkin hell really ?

no mate..just think the hypocrisy about the war on drugs needs to be shown for what it is..that's all..not trying to belittle the horror of addiction..but the war was lost a long time  ago..time for a new strategy..just my opinion..

Saw that they are setting up "user centres" in Cork Tony, probably will be in the city centre but who really wants people off their heads going around town(hasn't stopped them all the same). Agree though to an extent that a user of a recreational drug shouldn't be labeled a criminal.
Heroin is just a slow form of suicide where it controls the user, i,d be very much against any centre for that though it might help with needles. Cork "heavies" managed to keep it out of town until 15-20 years ago but very evident by begging particulary around the bus station. Don't know what the right answer is but don't think it is that.

I know very little about drugs , never a user , and dont know any users ( as far as I know).  However I have long advocated that the state "takes over" the drug scene and marginalises the drug pushers .  The state can do that easily and it would be less costly and more effective than current procedures .

Once the state controlled the supply it can monitor use and identify real problem users , with a view to sorting them out or putting them out of harms way . And the young people who are often prey to the pushers might be safer than they are at present . Plus anything you get "from the state" is no longer glamorous  , and any misplaced bravado disappears .

No plan is ever going to be foolproof , but I reckon state involvement might be worth a try .

However I have long advocated that the state "takes over" the drug scene and marginalises the drug pushers .  The state can do that easily and it would be less costly and more effective than current procedures .

Kelly, we live in a country where any vague error by the health service is met by an army of ambulance chasers seeing what they can get for their client "Victims"......You honestly think it would be a good idea for the HSE to take over drug distribution

havent they taken over alcohol and nicotene?(both it can be argued are more dangerous than several"illegal" drugs?).and make billions from them every year.unlikely to happen though,were not nearly radical enough as a nation yet.but as stated above it wouldnt be as glamorous and usage might drop.

I understand people's worrys pa..indeed especially the law abiding who despise such things...but my point being the war is lost..they are everywhere and all countries put addicts in prison instead of putting them into treatment(save money as keeping someone in prison cost a lot more)also having some were for these addicts to go to be clean ..will keep them off the streets and parks and squats etc..I know its not easy especially change..but Portugal have proofed it works..the swiss have done it for years, there is no evidence it will increase usage indeed the evidence is it will decrease it ..with getting people into treatment..i understand the lock up brigade..but the war is lost..