Health

Urgent and significant change in approach to drug use needed, says citizens’ assembly chair

Preliminary data shows there were 409 poisoning deaths linked to drugs in Ireland in 2020

  • June 25, 2023
Paul Reid, former HSE chief: “The need for changes in how we are doing things was clear.” Picture: Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland

Ireland requires an urgent step change in its approach to drug use, the chair of the citizens’ assembly has said.

Paul Reid was commenting as the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use reached the halfway point of its programme of work after a weekend of meetings in Malahide.

The weekend began with the publication of figures showing a sustained rise in drug overdose deaths in Ireland.

The preliminary data from the Health Research Board (HRB) showed ...