Leading criminologist says decriminalising drugs does not mean they are available legally.
(Source: Flickr)Ireland should consider decriminalising drugs which cause the most harm, according to a leading criminologist.
Youth groups have urged the Citizens' Assembly to back the legalisation of drugs, which is in session this weekend.
This brings it past the half-way mark in its work programme.
Dr Ian Marder, from the Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology, says decriminalising drugs does not mean they are available legally:
'You could have a system whereby some substances are available legally.'
'It doesn't mean you can just get it, but it's only available under clinical conditions.'
Dr Ian Marder also says drugs will not lead to an increase in people using them.
Yesterday, it heard the sale of illegal drugs accounts for half of all juvenile crime in the State.
Dr Marder says Ireland should consider decriminalising drugs which cause the most harm:
'Things that are very addictive, like heroin, things like different forms of cocaine.'
'We are not reducing the harm to society by criminalising the people who are caught in possession of those, who are addicted to those things.'
