Drug possession referral scheme is voluntary, says HSE

Professor Eamon Keenan, the HSE's National Clinical Lead on Addiction Services has welcomed the new Health Referral Scheme in which gardaí will refer eligible first-time offenders found in possession of drugs for personal use to the health services.

"The HSE are delighted that this announcement has been made that it's going to commence on the first of September, because it's a programme that has been in gestation for a long period of time.

"Essentially what this means is that an individual who is caught in possession of drugs for personal use for the first occasion can avail of a referral to health services and not receive a criminal conviction, which can have significant impact on that person's life in terms of work, in terms of travel," Prof Keenan said.

He said people who were eligible would be able to use a QR code to set up an appointment with healthcare professionals, online or in person.

"We use a model called SAOR, which is the HSE's model for screening and brief intervention for drug and alcohol use.

"It's based on motivational interviewing, and it's got proven efficacy in early intervention and early prevention.

"And with that assessment, if we identify that the person needs an onward referral for health treatment, that person will be referred on into addiction services."

Prof Keenen said that cooperation at this stage is voluntary.

"For the first time offenders, they have the option of attending health services. We are there, we're waiting for the person, we'll provide the brief intervention, we'll provide the armoured referral, but the individual does not have to avail of that on that occasion."

He said the HSE had been provided with resources to put in place a network of SAOR practitioners.

"These are the individuals who provide the brief interventions around the country. They will be seeing the referrals, they'll be doing the intervention, and will make onward referrals.

"And if we identify during the phase that we do not have enough resources to be able to cope with the demand, then we'll be going back to the Department of Health."

Prof Keenan said it was not decriminalisation because possession of drugs remains a criminal offence.

"If we procrastinate any longer and remain involved in political and legislative debates, more people are going to get criminal convictions and less people are going to get referred to health."