The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use is holding its fifth and penultimate meeting this weekend, Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October, in The Grand Hotel, Malahide. Focussing primarily on drugs prevention strategies and practice, the meeting will be the final opportunity for members to discuss the substantive issues under consideration prior to voting on recommendations at the sixth and final Assembly meeting at the end of October. A range of speakers including Chief Medical Officer Prof. Breda Smyth, former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin, and social justice campaigner Fr Peter McVerry, will share their perspectives on drugs prevention ranging from early childhood education to tertiary prevention initiatives. Sunday’s session will also include presentations on health-led recovery, governance, and funding options.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s meeting, the Chairman of the Assembly, Paul Reid, highlighted the extensive work that has been done to date, and said he looked forward to this weekend’s further discussions before next month’s meeting to agree recommendations. Mr Reid commented, “In just under six months the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use has covered a wide range of topics, heard from many different voices and perspectives, and received almost 800 submissions from the public regarding the issue of drugs use. This weekend’s meeting will round-off those discussions with a focus on prevention measures that are crucial in how we approach the issue of limiting the harm caused by drugs. “Drugs use is a complex issue. Prevention is therefore a crucial part on how we approach the entire issue and it is important that members have the opportunity to hear from all those working in the area including policymakers, academics, service providers and prevention specialists.

“Following this meeting, members will begin to agree the final ballot paper that they will be asked to vote on at our next and concluding meeting at the end of October. Thise recommendations will be the substance of the final report that the Assembly will present to Government and the Oireachtas by the end of the year.

Agenda: Saturday, 30th September 2023 – Grand Hotel, Malahide

Press release: Prevention as important as cure – Citizens’ Assembly hears repeated calls for evidence based approaches to prevention

Sunday, 1st October 2023 – Grand Hotel, Malahide (Sunday session video begins at about 10 minutes)

Press release: Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use concludes substantive discussions – Assembly to reconvene later in October to agree recommendations