Pubdate: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 Source: Irish Independent (Ireland) Contact: http://www.independent.ie/ Copyright: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd Author: Fergus Black O'DONOGHUE RULES OUT DECRIMINALISING DRUGS JUSTICE Minister John O'Donoghue yesterday firmly ruled out any move towards decriminalising drugs declaring it should not happen in any circumstances. The Minister was commenting after the National Crime Forum said it would be happy to see the issue discussed in a calm and dispassionate manner. Mr O'Donoghue, who was presented with a copy of the Forum's report, said the document did not come down on one side or the other on the question of decriminalisation. AGAINST But he said that he personally was against the decriminalisation of controlled substances, and would not go along with the idea. The Forum said it had received submissions for and against the decriminalisation of some or all drugs. Those who advocated such a course did so out of a conviction that it was the very illegality of certain drugs which gave rise to many of the problems arising from them. However, those opposed to the notion said the move would encourage the use of drugs at a time when the need was to discourage it. While most of the Forum members were open to persuasion on the subject, they did not have an opportunity to undertake the necessary study in depth which would enable them to reach an informed judgment. "All agreed, however, that the issue was important and required careful study. It is anticipated that this matter will be more fully debated and the Forum would be happy to see the issues discussed in a calm and dispassionate manner." Dealing with drugs and crime the report says that there was considerable and understandable public concern at the damage which the recent growth in drug abuse was doing. Those addicted to the use of opiates were tied into a habit which could conservatively be estimated to cost them IEP500 - IEP700 a week to maintain. "Since many of those in that situation are young people with minimal means, that cost inevitably drives them to criminal activity to find the money." An enormous task remained to identify those most at risk of becoming involved in drugs and crime, targeting them with a strategy of prevention and early intervention and establishing the necessary treatment facilities at community level. The report says that perhaps the greatest disquiet related to what was perceived, correctly or incorrectly, as a lack of response in terms of Garda arrests and prosecutions. There was, however, widespread agreement that the gardai were doing an enormous amount of good work, both in enforcing the law and diverting young people from a life of drug-related crime. THREE MEASURES It was evident that any comprehensive approach to tackling the problem involved three measures limitation of the supply, reduction of the demand and treatment for those who became involved with drug use. "The public is favourably disposed towards a firm policy on bringing drug dealers to justice indeed, the public expects it. Quite authoritarian measures are deemed acceptable in an effort to combat what is perceived as the social blight of drugs." The biggest single contribution to reducing the scourge of drugs would be an effective drive to remove social and economic disadvantage within certain communities. Partnership approaches involving the community, local authorities, health boards, gardai, youth services and other agencies were strongly advocated in submissions. - --- Checked-by: derek rea