TY - JOUR
T1 - Connecting the Person by Removing the Stigma
T2 - Why Ireland Should Follow the Portuguese Model of Drug Decriminalisation
AU - Finucane, Aisling
AU - Stritch, Jennifer Moran
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Finucane et al.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - The decriminalisation of drugs and how it can impact addiction, crime and mental health is a subject that inspires global interest and debate. Much has been written about the positive outcomes of decriminalisation from a public health perspective, including the elimination of aggressive policing and community oversight and the shift to offering treatment and social supports for those affected by addiction. Ireland has yet to move to a model of decriminalisation, although a system similar to the one employed in Portugal has been suggested. This article briefly outlines reasons why a paradigm shift is vital if progress is to be made in reducing addiction in contemporary Ireland. The potential benefits could include a reduction in the pervasive social stigma connected with substance abuse, leading to less social exclusion within the Irish population.
AB - The decriminalisation of drugs and how it can impact addiction, crime and mental health is a subject that inspires global interest and debate. Much has been written about the positive outcomes of decriminalisation from a public health perspective, including the elimination of aggressive policing and community oversight and the shift to offering treatment and social supports for those affected by addiction. Ireland has yet to move to a model of decriminalisation, although a system similar to the one employed in Portugal has been suggested. This article briefly outlines reasons why a paradigm shift is vital if progress is to be made in reducing addiction in contemporary Ireland. The potential benefits could include a reduction in the pervasive social stigma connected with substance abuse, leading to less social exclusion within the Irish population.
KW - Drug Decriminalisation
KW - Ireland
KW - stigma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85134806538&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.11576/seejph-5768
DO - 10.11576/seejph-5768
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85134806538
SN - 2197-5248
VL - 19
JO - South Eastern European Journal of Public Health
JF - South Eastern European Journal of Public Health
IS - 6
ER -