A Mayo View: Convicted drug lords should be made fund masterplan to tackle nation's narcotics fallout

When political debates on the major issues facing this nation take place, they invariably focus on issues like housing, health services, education and law and order.

Now the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use, following extensive research and the issuing of 161 far-reaching recommendations, has found that illegal drug use is a central component in many of our societal problems.

Where once illegal drug use was associated with heroin use in disadvantaged and marginalised communities, today Ireland is dealing with widespread poly substance use.

As we know, cocaine, cannabis, prescription drugs and new substances are now present in every county – in villages, towns and cities alike - and addiction is no longer something that can be seen as affecting other communities.

Sad to say, it is present across every aspect of Irish society. It is present on every street. We may choose to ignore the fact but the reality is that the human cost is being sorely felt by individuals and families dealing with addiction and loss.

As the committee pointed out, the social cost is seen in communities living with trauma, stigma and drug-related harm. The economic cost is also significant, with resources tied up in systems that are not delivering the outcomes we need.

The evidence also shows that a largely criminal justice-focused approach has not worked well enough. It has not reduced harm, it has not supported people early enough, and, in some cases, it has added to stigma and exclusion.

The members of the committee want Ireland to move to a health-led approach by recognising drug use and addiction as a public health issue and protecting young people, reducing risk and preventing harm, while making sure people can access the help they need when they need it.

The report also recognised that addiction is often linked to wider issues - poverty, trauma, mental health and housing.

One of its most controversial proposals is the decriminalisation of substance possession - and this is certain to be a heated topic when it comes before parliament for debate later this year or next year.

While State agencies generally favour retaining criminal sanctions alongside expanded diversion pathways, the overwhelming majority of civil society organisations, academics, legal experts and international representatives told the committee during its research that criminalisation itself contributes to harm, stigma and exclusion and that a genuinely health-led approach requires decriminalisation.

Those responsible for fighting drug crime, most notably An Garda Síochána, will not easily warm to this idea as the force is acutely aware of the harms associated with organised criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, violence, intimidation, coercion, drug debt and organised crime-related murders associated with the illicit drugs trade.

So the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use is really pushing out a very challenging boat in many respects and its courage must be admired.

But the cost of implementing their recommendations is going to be huge and it would be fitting that the confiscated wealth generated by convicted drug lords should be used to pay for it.