Decriminalisation is the removal of criminal penalties for possession of drugs for personal use.
A REPORT ON efforts to decriminalise drugs in Ireland and four other jurisdictions has concluded that advances have been made in recent years but there is a lack of political will in Ireland.
The report by the Scottish Drugs Forum also claimed that the success of the marriage equality and abortion referendums have aided efforts for decriminalisation by opening discussion on more socially progressive topics.
‘Working to decriminalise people who use drugs‘ was funded by Ireland’s Ana Liffey Drug Project and looked at the push for decriminalisation in Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Poland and the US state of Maine.
The report was critical of Irish politicians for allowing drug reform to be “kicked into the long grass” but said that the openness of some politicians was aiding the cause of decriminalisation.
