Drug addicts: Irish minister calls for 'more sympathetic' approach

The Irish minister responsible for drugs strategy is calling for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of drugs, including class A substances like heroin.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has told the BBC that the "Just Say No" message, taught in schools, is ineffective and "a lie".

The Irish Labour Party politician has called for a more sympathetic approach to dealing with addicts.

He emphasised that what he was proposing is decriminalisation

Image captionMr Ó Ríordáin said drug users should not be criminalised for their sickness

This means that people would, in practice, not face prosecution, but it does not mean the legalisation of drugs.

"You are talking about decriminalising the person, not the drugs," Mr Ó Ríordáin said.

"Show me how arresting someone who is injecting heroin is going to help that person change their behaviour.

"If somebody is involved in pushing drugs or stealing and robbing to feed their...

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