This week Jason has been jet-setting again and has been in beautiful Dublin on behalf of The Centre for Justice Innovation. Jason has an Irish heritage and always feels very much at home in Ireland.
The Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) has been working on important research into alternatives to coercive sanctions (ACS) for possessing controlled drugs. This week, Jason and his colleague presented their findings in front of the Irish Government and An Garda Síochána, and the HSE Ireland
CJI’s report identified nine existing services that fall under five categories defined by a European Commission study on alternatives to coercive sanctions:
- Caution / warning / no action – the Adult Caution Scheme
- Diversionary measures – the Law Engagement and Assisted Recovery programme
- Drug court – Dublin Drug Treatment Court, Louth Drug Treatment Court, Cork Court referral programme
- Drug treatment – Meath Community Drug and Alcohol Response, Prime for Life (Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Longford and Sligo) and START project (Donegal)
- Initiative working across different pathways – the Athy Alternative Project (Kildare, Laois and Carlow)
- Other responses – Suspension of investigations, treatment options, probation, community work, release or parole with a treatment element.
In the statement marking the release of our report, the Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke, recognised that drug use is a “serious health issue with long-term implications not just for the person who uses illicit drugs, but for their family and the community around them”. He added “This report shows the enthusiasm for a health-led response, one which diverts people away from courts and prisons and instead towards effective programmes that support their rehabilitation and reduce their likelihood of reoffending”.
The research found that there are a number of barriers to implementing more humane responses to drug possession that we shared with our audience. Examples include:
· Services relying on multiple sources of resources such as from individuals rather than central funding
· Lack of training and knowledge of system-wide interventions.
Addressing the audience, Jason struck a balanced message which recognised the determination within the justice system to do the right thing in terms of prevention. I acknowledged the difficulties that policing faces; highlighting that officers need a simple process that is evidence-based, effective and provides meaningful outcomes for the individual, society, and the justice system. Jason referenced the drug diversion scheme framework, initially created in Thames Valley Police area and later synthesised along with international best practice into CJI’s Drug diversion framework.
Take a look at some of the press coverage of our event here:
Report shows enthusiasm for health-led responses to drug use (imt.ie)
‘Appetite’ in Ireland for finding alternative responses to drug possession – report (thejournal.ie)
Letters to the Editor: Decriminalise drugs for the greater good (irishexaminer.com)
