Ireland: Not everyone is embracing ‘Hugs and Drugs’ minister

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Dubbed the Minister for Hugs and Drugs, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin’s radical ideas regarding heroin and cocaine will not get a warm embrace from everyone.

The fact the Coalition did not appoint a minister with special responsibility for drugs policy for four years tells you all you need to know about how seriously they take the issue.

But Mr Ó Ríordáin, who also covers equality issues — the huggy part of his job — has certainly attempted to move fast to make up the lost time since being appointed to the role in May.

Far from trotting out the tired old cliches about a so-called war on drugs, Mr Ó Ríordáin has called for a new approach whereby Ireland would follow Portugal’s largely successful move to decriminalise all drugs from crack to weed.

Decriminalisation is not the same as legalisation as while it allows people the freedom to use small amounts...

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http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/columnists/shaun-connolly/not-everyone-is-embracing-hugs-and-drugs-minister-349598.html