Results 321-340 of 1,040,902 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl OR speaker:Réada Cronin OR speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan OR speaker:Paul McAuliffe OR speaker:John Brady OR speaker:Violet-Anne Wynne)
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: I am thinking of the two legal drugs we have, namely, methadone and alcohol.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: No, but my question is whether the journey to recovery is made easier for methadone and alcohol than it is for illegal drugs, not because of the chemical structure of the substance but because the criminal nature of the substance is not there.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: As the previous Chair said here once, you cannot stop people making moral judgements but you can stop making policy based on moral judgements.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: That is the beginning of the journey. We need to change that and the criminal sanction is an impairment to recovery. I should say happy recovery month and well done on all the work on that. The other end of the spectrum is full legalisation, allow a commercial model regulate and have a for-profit element as with any other product. I hear what Mr. Mullins says, because there is a fear,...
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: They are very different, yes.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: If I might ask one last question which is difficult to ask of a big group. I think there is consensus on the point that the criminal element has an impact. Is there consensus that legalisation would be the ultimate solution here? It is a big question.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: Chairman, to be fair to my colleague, because I asked a big question, maybe I will take the answer from someone in the next round.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Paul McAuliffe: Senator Fitzpatrick asked a question that I threw in at the very end too.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: Yes, if that is okay.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: I thank the Chair for letting me in. I thank all the witnesses. I missed a large part of their contributions but an intern was listening and she filled me in. Anyway, I will cut a long story short and get to my questions. What I have heard has been hugely interesting, especially the points that were made about menopause, which is something I had not factored in or come across. That is...
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: Okay, I figured as much. Dr. Healy talked about reducing stigma. That is hugely important in west Clare. I represent County Clare. In west Clare in particular, however, there is a huge issue around drug use but also societal isolation and not being able to get support when it comes to housing. This is a big issue for me with a few lads who are in west Clare. They actually have the...
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: Yes, of course.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: I thank Mr. Mullins.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: It is important that certain witnesses have outlined they see recovery differently from most. People making the decision that they want change is the start of the recovery. If there are no signs of somebody trying to make that choice, that is a big issue in County Clare. I cannot get shelter for them, even emergency accommodation. According to the council, there is a requirement that they...
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: Yes.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: People will not be able to make that choice and start looking for supports and services if they do not have basic shelter. That is the part that is being missed. Those people have nothing; some of them are sleeping in a burned-down hotel space.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: That is it. We do not have a facility like that.
- Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
Violet-Anne Wynne: That is at play in the location I am referring to. There is somebody who owns a property so that is where they have to take refuge because they have nowhere else to go. Soliciting is an issue and it will only continue to get worse. I am trying to support a young lady who is trying to bring a mobile shower facility to Clare, just to provide access to basic sanitation and to feeling good.