Politics

Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs hears how early trauma leads to addiction

Chair Paul Reid said he expected the weekend’s discussions to be “the most innovative, creative, brave, and courageous” Citizens’ Assembly meeting ever

Paul Reid at the Citizen's Assembly in the Grand Hotel Malahide for its first session on drug use. Picture: Leah Farrell/Rolling News

The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use has been told of the “vicious cycle of addiction, criminalisation and trauma”.

The Assembly is holding its second weekend of meetings in Dublin Castle this Saturday and Sunday, when members are focusing on the “lived experience of drugs use” and its impact on individuals, families, frontline workers and communities.

The 99 members and independent chairman, former HSE chief Paul Reid, were scheduled to hear from a range of speakers ...