Richard Branson has backed calls for major changes to Ireland’s drug policy warning that it is time to, "End the failed War on Drugs”.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning, the Virgin Media mogul said the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly will save the taxpayers “enormous public resources” in the years ahead.
Earlier this month, the assembly voted in favour of a ‘health-led approach’ to drug use that would see found in possession of small amounts of drugs sent to the health service, rather than the courts.
If implemented by the Government, it would not legalise drugs but it would “minimise, or potentially completely remove, the possibility of criminal conviction and prison sentences for simple possession.”
Mr Branson said the proposals are a step in the right direction.
“End the failed war on drugs,” he said.
“Move resources from the justice system to the health system – drug use should be a public health issue; it shouldn’t be a criminal justice issue.
“You should decriminalise personal possession and use for all drugs; this will save enormous public resources.
“At the same time, invest in harm-reduction and public health services for those who are struggling and create regulated markets for currently illicit drugs.”
#CADrugsUse has voted for a comprehensive health-led approach for all types of drugs. pic.twitter.com/5pYdiVdaLE
— The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) October 21, 2023
Mr Branson currently serves as a Commissioner with the Global Commission on Drug Use and feels society would best be served if drugs were legalised and regulated.
“Let’s take cannabis as an example, there has not been an explosion of people suddenly using cannabis because people can actually not get cannabis from a legal source rather than an illegal source,” he said.
"If someone goes to a concert in Ireland, many of the people at that concert would be taking ecstasy… Ecstasy laced with embalming fluid or some of the horrible things that ecstasy gets laced with, is very dangerous and can kill people.
“But if you can actually regulate that ecstasy and make sure it’s tested properly, people will not die.”
Prohibition or legalisation?
Certain jurisdictions, such as Canada, the Netherlands and certain US States have legalised some drugs and Mr Branson said their economies have benefited from doing so.
“It is so much better that the State can monitor the particular drugs the people take [and] checks the drugs, monitors it, makes sure that the money goes back into education and health - as it’s now doing in America with cannabis," he said.
“Rather than going to the underworld which misuses it and the amount of money a country can save in that way… will be enormous.”
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Main image: Richard Branson. Picture by: Kristoffer Tripplaar/Alamy Live News
