Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017

Public bill · Private Member · Presented

The proposal would decriminalise possession of controlled drugs for personal use, as long as the amount stays within limits set by the Health Minister. Possession above that limit would still bring consequences, starting with a caution or fixed charge and, for repeat cases, possible court action, but people with addiction could be steered into treatment instead. It would also create a Drug Dissuasion Service to assess people found with drugs and offer harm-reduction options such as awareness, rehabilitation and community programmes, rather than sending them straight through the courts. Its aim is to reduce harm, cut repeat offending and focus the response on treatment rather than punishment.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016 to provide for the decriminalisation for possession of controlled drugs for personal use and to provide for regulations regarding personal use; to establish a Drug Dissuasion Service to case-manage persons found in possession of controlled drugs and to divert people away from the courts by providing a system of harm reduction measures including drug awareness, drug rehabilitation and community engagement programmes; and to provide for related matters

Last updated 5 March 2025