Green Party backs DPP in call for drug prosecution reform

Press Release: Justice 24 January 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases

24 January 2006

Green Party backs DPP in call for drug prosecution reform

Welcomes plans for Adult Caution system

The Green Party has welcomed reports that the Director of Public Prosecutions is considering changes in the law so as to caution first time offenders caught with small amounts of cannabis.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said today that, “Almost all drugs can be dangerous. However, we would welcome any move that would free up Garda time to deal with more serious crimes such as driving under the influence of alcohol.

“This appears to be a move towards a more common sense approach to tackling the difficulties of drug use in modern society.

“Instead of a simplistic ‘Just say no’ approach we should look towards a model of ‘Harm minimisation’. This would free up Garda resources to tackle more serious issues in society,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.