First and second-time drug offenders will escape criminal conviction for possession as part of a new policy to be announced by the government, it has emerged.
However, the Government had rejected the recommendation to remove imprisonment for all drug possession cases as recommended by a special working group.
The new “health-led approach” would mean those caught in possession would be referred to the Health Service Executive for a health screening for a first offence and receive an adult caution for a second offence.
This follows the Working Group to Consider Alternative Approaches to the Possession of Drugs for Personal Use, which was set up to examine decriminalisation measures in other countries, including Portugal.
However, the chairman of the working group, former judge and criminal defence solicitor Garrett Sheehan, issued a minority report saying any moves towards decriminalisation would be “throwing in the towel” on the potential of young people.
Gardaí also issued an addendum saying that a system of adult cautions would make it harder to police the drug market and said the working group had failed to consider the effect of this system on organised crime.
