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THE MISUSE OF Drugs Bill has made its way through the Oireachtas and will soon become law.
The bill has had a long journey towards becoming law since the Heads of Bill (the draft publication) were first published last year.
It was amended and given approval by the previous government last December to include provisions for medically supervised injecting centres.
The current goventment last month split the bill into two. The first half (which will soon be made law) has to do with banning certain drugs; the second half (which will be published in the Autumn) has to do with legislating for medically supervised injecting centres.
Former Drugs Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has criticised the splitting of the bill in two.
He told TheJournal.ie last month that there was “no reason” for it to be split.
“There is absolutely no reason for this important legislation to be progressed through two separate bills,” the Labour politician said.
It is clear that Fine Gael ministers want to give the impression of action but want to delay any move that doesn’t fit with their ‘law and order’ approach to social problems.
So what drugs will be illegal?
The drugs to be banned under the act include prescription medication, so-called legal highs and others. They are:
Prescription medication
Substances controlled under EU and UN obligations
Additional substances to be controlled
Regulations need to be drawn up to allow “legitimate users” of the drugs (eg. prescription holders) to be allowed to use them safely.
When these regulations are drawn up – which the department said should happen “relatively quickly” – the act will be commenced and become law.
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Well done Fine Gael. Have no doubt in going to wake up tomorrow in a drug free utopia thanks you. Can really see this working on the street. Druggies gonna be like ‘no way man, cant take that shit no more. You know FG outlawed it?”
Its aimed at not being able to purchase it leagily,ye could buy this stuff over the counter or online at one stage. Makes a lot of sence
You cannot, nor could you ever, buy ant of the medications mentioned above over the counter in Ireland.
Of course you could buy it online from some dodgy site in China or wherever and you still can should you want to. There may be a bigger problem if you are caught but if you’re buying benzos online you probably don’t care either way as you’ve certainly got problems already.
The bill without the Injection centers is pointless – FG are cowards.
Ment the legal high that killed the guy in cork no? and all the other herbal shite thats online that used to be in the “head shops” all over the country.. Sorry if im wrong you’s are all too clever here. And whats Ant medication??
Isn’t zopiclone a sleeping med? My mother had to take them whilst in hospital.
Yes it is.
My GP prescribed zopiclone for me recently.
Yeah it is, I have it for when I have phases of insomnia, it’s a wonder for when you can’t sleep. Does this bill mean that one won’t be able to get it with a prescription now??
Veronica no that isnt going to happen its not a criminalisation per say
No it means if you sell it, you will be selling a controlled drug. Perfectly legal to take if prescribed
But not legal for the doctor to prescribe it.
Ah ger, Dortrice, blueball . Did you not read the article properly.
Here little help for you.
Regulations need to be drawn up to allow “legitimate users” of the drugs (eg. prescription holders) to be allowed to use them safely.
When these regulations are drawn up – which the department said should happen “relatively quickly” – the act will be commenced and become law.
Are you saying my ‘not legal’ post is incorrect!?
Let you figure that one out yourself ger. Here’s a clue.
legitimate users” of the drugs (eg. prescription holders) to be allowed to use them safely.
When these regulations are drawn up – which the department said should happen “relatively quickly” – the act will be commenced and become law.
Who writes prescriptions? Doctors.
So ger are you saying your post is right.
I’ll take that as a ‘no’ then.
As Littleone clearly explained (just like the article does),only people with prescriptions from their GP will be entitled to buy these drugs over the counter at a pharmacy. If you don’t have a script you won’t get them. Simples!
” If you don’t have a script you won’t get them. Simples!”
Which is pretty much the case now. Some unethical people choose to sell them outside of the usual method and will probably continue to do so.
The real issue was the legal injection site part of the initial proposed bill which has been stripped out because the government are small minded parochial anti-progressive cowards who kowtow to their conservative based and aren’t willing to support something like this which could not only save or improve the lives of drug users, save the state a fortune and make the streets safer for members of the public.
That was always the way
That’s always been the case, what it actually means smart hole is, it’s Illegal to have them in tour possession unless prescribed to you
Exactly. It will do feck all to stop dealers selling them but if they are stopped and searched and found in possession they will now be prosecuted.
Archaic approach to the war on drugs. Prohibition has NEVER worked ANYWHERE.
And the Chinese factories will release they’re replacements in 5,4,3,2…….
*their
godamit!
Can they spell?
the manufacturers run rings around them. the government’s approach shows they may be missing the lessons which can be learned from positive measures and results in other jurisdictions
True. The recipe is altered, and a new name put in it. Voila! A drug that is not illegal or controlled.
there may be an element of the need to be seen to be ‘tough on crime’, regardless of the fact that the only thing these provisions are tough in is garda who have to spell the damn things
There they’re, Dotrice! Theirs a deference between a typo and pore spelling.
Cannabis is the only prescription drug thats needed.
Take that, antibiotics and chemotherapy
Yeah nothing clears up gonorrhea like a good spliff.
More nonsense and obfuscation. All prescription drugs are illegal unless you have a prescription.
This means illegal to prescribe or supply!
No they are not. It’s not illegal to possess them without prescription if you have small amounts. And this is one of the problems.
But Pat, it is only addicts who are in possession of small amounts. Making another law to use to drag them through the courts will not help them to get better or reduce the demand for these drugs.
It is already illegal to possess large amounts so no change for the dealers.
You are really finding this one hard aren’t you?! It won’t be illegal to prescribe them, just like many, many other drugs are legal to have if you have a prescription for them….not a very hard concept
I recently saw addicts waiting for their methadone in the local pharmacy, once outside they ran up a side lane to take it, old habits I suppose.
something to be said for safe controlled spaces for addicts etc to take drugs?
Yes. But that’s not going to happen now, Cosaint.
true
So the part of the bill that is going to save lives is pushed back until autumn while the part of the bill which will make no difference whatsoever (except another way to torment sick addicts) is being pushed through post haste!
Well done FG/FF gov… Slow hand clap
As of banning drugs work, the war on drugs has failed. Wake up
In fairness to this, benzodiazepimes and alcohol are the only drugs that kill people in withdrawal. Therefore, restricting initial availability cannot be a massively wrong thing. I’m generally pro_adult decision, but things that kill when you stop taking them may need special care. This is not weed we’re talking about.
Yes, and it’s a Z-drug not a Benzo. It’s actually quite old fashioned and first generation at this stage no reason to prescribe it.
Well there is. Zopiclone (branded as Zimovane) works much better for me than zolpidem (Stilnoct) does. In face the latter has made me do some incredibly weird things while using it.
Alas poor Zimos I knew you well !
What about the likes of oxynorm and oxycontin? I take these along with other controlled drugs for pain, I know I’ll still be able to get them because I have a prescription but I’m wondering if they are used by addicts.
Sharon I would say to you be very careful with OxyContin .
I work in pharmacy, oxynorm oxycontin are controlled drugs with very specific restrictions on their supply….this even includes how the prescription is written. Printed and handwritten by the doctor so as to prevent forgeries being used. In addition, opiate controlled drugs are kept in a locked safe.
Up until now zopiclone was not a controlled drug, you do require a prescription to obtain it but drug dealers were selling massive quantities to addicts on the street and the guards had no legal right to prosecute them. They had to get HPRA to lodge a complaint in order for these people to be prosecuted. Personally, i think restricting the sale of benzos and other addictive drugs are a step in the right direction.
Ive personally been attacked in work by addicts not only looking for cash but also drugs…..xanax, anxicalm, zimovane are the most common ones they look for
The legislation, sadly, won’t do much to stop what happens on the streets though.
What do they use zimovane for? I usually feel pretty rubbish after taking it and when I have taken it I, for obvious reasons, can’t do anything.
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