An Cathaoirleach: Apologies have been received from Deputy Devine. I am delighted to open the 18th public meeting of the joint committee and the second in our module legal issues. Today we will explore European perspectives on legal, policy and operational responses to drug use. I welcome our witnesses. Dr. Marta Pinto is an assistant professor and researcher in the faculty of psychology and education sciences at the University of Porto and a researcher specialising in drug use, social vulnerability and public policy. Mr. Brendan Hughes is principal scientist on drug legislation at the European Union Drugs Agency and has been working in the field of national drug legislation since 2001. You are both very welcome.

Dr. Martha Pinto: Good morning. I thank the Chair, Deputy Gannon, and the committee members for their time and attention. I am very happy to be here. As the Chair said, I work for the University of Porto and for nearly three decades I have combined research, clinical practice, outreach intervention and scientific consultancy for policymakers in several countries. I have been closely involved in the development and evaluation of harm-reduction and treatment responses in Portugal. I have been following the recent developments of Ireland’s drug policy model and would like to acknowledge its strengths. It is evidence-informed, whole-of-government and health-led rather than punitive, is grounded in harm reduction and, importantly, it goes beyond legislative reform alone and seeks to build an integrated network of care, with meaningful participation of civil society and a strong data-driven orientation. This approach places Ireland in alignment with best international practice. I will focus on three issues currently at the centre of debate, namely, decriminalisation, mandatory treatment and imprisonment following failed compliance with diversion strategies.

Regarding decriminalisation, in our 2020 review of the available scientific literature on decriminalisation models worldwide, we found no evidence that decriminalisation leads to significant increases in drug use prevalence. It does not appear to expand markets or reduce prices. It tends to reduce arrests for use and possession, lower drug-related crime, reduce infectious disease transmission, increase treatment uptake, decrease stigma and tends to raise public acceptance of that legal framework. We updated these findings in 2024 and the newest studies continue to point in the same direction: comprehensive, human rights-oriented reforms improve public health and reduce incarceration without worsening harmful use indicators.

[click here for the full debate]

Opening statement, Dr. Martha Pinto, Assistant Professor and Researcher, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto

Opening statement, Brendan Hughes, Principal Scientist on Drug Legislation, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)