The legalisation of drugs would prevent crime gangs gaining and maintaining power, members of the Citizens’ Assembly on drugs heard today. 

The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs met for the fourth time this weekend to discuss the different legislative options concering drug use. 

Youth Workers Against Prohibition Member Eddie D’Arcy told the Assembly that the legalisation of drugs would take power away from criminal gangs. 

“Drugs are more available in Ireland than ever before,” he said. 

“We’re looking at the power and control of gangs spreading beyond marginalised communities in Dublin to nationwide. 

“The level of profit made by the illegal drug gangs that no sooner is one gang broken up that another one replaces them immediately. 

“The war is impossible to win the way it’s being fought.” 

The Stakeholder Perspectives session at #CADrugsUse begins with Eddie D’Arcy from Youth Workers Against Prohibition.

Watch here: https://t.co/BE8PLm1sD4 pic.twitter.com/psjgRX35dI

— The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) September 3, 2023

Mr D’Arcy said gangs have no conscious when it comes to who they sell drugs to and the quality of the product, whereas legalising drugs would regulate the market and its customers. 

“We're not saying these drugs don’t harm people – we see it every day of our working lives,” he said. 

“However, we also recognise the present approach by Government creates even more difficulty because we have communities and families living in terrible fear. 

“Take the trade out of the hands of the drug gang because we are never going to defeat them otherwise.” 

'Prevention and treatment'

Cannabis Risk Alliance Member Professor Bobby Smyth told the Assembly, however, the idea you could remove organised crimes by legalising drugs is a “fantasy”. 

“[Gangs] will retain probably 50% of the drug market at least, and who will go to the criminal gangs? Those with the least money, the most addiction, and the youngest,” he said. 

“The focus should be on prevention and treatment.” 

Prof Smyth also said countries that have legalised drugs such as cannabis have reported higher rates of people in the emergency department due to drug use. 

“[Legalisation] is not delivering what it promised – it's resulting in more people in the emergency room, more young adults with addiction, and it’s not getting rid of the Black Market.” 

After a weekend of considering the criminal justice system & legal framework governing drugs in Ireland #CADrugsUse Chair, @paulreiddublin closes proceedings. Thank you to all our contributors for providing perspectives and expertise.

We return on 30 September. pic.twitter.com/5srMGaCGdO

— The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) September 3, 2023

Members of the Assembly also discussed other methods of new drug legislation, including a diversion model that would send drug users to health services on their first offence, rather than resulting in arrest. 

The Assembly also discussed decriminalising drug use, but not legalising it to prevent a stronger market forming for certain substances. 

The assembly will hold two further meetings, one later this month and one in October. 

Assembly Chair Paul Reid said the Assembly will now concentrate on what recommendations it will make to legislators in its final report.