Ireland: Police back proposal decriminalising possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin proposed a 'massive cultural shift' in moving towards decriminalising possession of small quantities of certain narcotics

Police officers in Ireland have backed a proposal to decriminalise the possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis for personal use no longer.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, chief of Ireland’s National Drugs Strategy, said Ireland will move towards decriminalising possession of small quantities of certain narcotics as part of a "radical cultural shift".

He argued attitudes to drugs must move away from shaming users and instead focus on helping them.

However, he said there was a difference between decriminalisation and legislation. It would remain a crime to profit from either the sale or distribution of drugs.

The Garda Representative Association, representing 11,5000 frontline officers, has welcomed the move, saying it would free up police resources.

“I think anything that can deal with the curse of drugs and some innovating thinking on this is to

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