This week the Committee will be joined by witnesses Kellen Russoniello, Jack Farrell, Nicole Luongo, DJ Larkin and Isabel Pereira.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Cathaoirleach Deputy Gary Gannon said: “The United States’ “War on Drugs” – a term popularised during President Nixon’s administration in the 1970s – has had a profound and lasting impact on public attitudes, stigma, and policy responses to drug use and addiction. Punitive approaches, including the criminalisation of personal possession, have contributed to;high levels;of incarceration, while substance use has often been treated as a criminal justice issue rather than a matter of public health.

In recent years, however, several jurisdictions have begun to shift toward more health-led approaches, including decriminalisation and access to harm reduction services. Ireland can draw important lessons from these international experiences, including the expansion of life-saving interventions such as naloxone and opioid substitutions treatments, as well as the broader move away from mass criminalisation.

The Committee looks forward to engaging with witnesses in this important discussion, which represents a valuable opportunity to learn from international evidence and expertise in shaping a more effective and humane approach to drug policy.”