Citizen's Assembly

‘I’ve never taken drugs,’ says Paul Reid as citizens assembly starts

Drugs Citizens’ Assembly chair says members will be presented with a variety of advice that ‘reflects the debate that’s happening in Ireland’

Paul Reid, chair of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs: refuted claims that members of the advisory group shared similar negative perceptions on drug use or only wanted to reinforce the status quo. Picture: Fergal Phillips.

Paul Reid said he has “never, ever” experimented with drugs himself but that the Citizens’ Assembly he is chairing is designed to hear from those with diverse and conflicting viewpoints.

The former HSE chief executive said that the 100 members of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs will be presented with information about how illicit drug use can help as well as harm people.

Reid was speaking to the Business Post ahead of the new Citizens’ ...