Summary

  • A healthcare model to support current drug users and their families.
  • Improve funding for services and facilities for drug users including counselling, occupational therapy, social support and psychotherapy.
  • Reverse the cuts to Community and Voluntary drug services. Restore Community Task Force teams on drug addiction.
  • Education to replace criminalisation as a method of deterrence.
  • Information on drug safety should be commonly available via our health service, our schools and universities, at music festivals and in commercial venues.
  • Integrated substance abuse and mental health services.
  • Safe injecting rooms and pill testing centres could be established such as those in the Netherlands.
  • Establish a State body to work closely with the Health Products Regulatory Authority to scientifically examine drugs that people take socially.
  • State run distribution services with high levels of regulation and supervision including proper funding for needle exchange.
  • Oppose the commodification and promotion of addictive drugs such as that engaged in by tobacco and alcohol companies.
  • Move towards the Portuguese Model to undermine criminal gangs. Immediately decriminalise possession for personal use and low level distribution.
  • Controls on the Pharma Industry to reduce the abuse of prescription drugs.
  • Tackle the inequality, deprivation and oppression that create the material conditions for problematic drug use.
  • Legislate for the use of medicinal cannabis for pain management of chronic conditions.