Ireland Launches Health Referral Scheme for First-Time Personal Drug Possession Offenders
核心洞察
Ireland's Health Referral Scheme goes live nationally from 1 September 2026, offering a health-led response for first-time personal drug possession offenders.
Eligible individuals found in possession of drugs for personal use will be referred by An Garda Síochána (搜索) to the HSE for brief intervention and assessment.
The scheme reflects the Government's commitment to treating drug use as a public health issue, in line with the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use recommendations.
Ireland's new Health Referral Scheme will go live nationally from 1 September 2026, providing a health-led alternative to criminal prosecution for people found in possession of drugs for personal use for the first time. The initiative was announced jointly by the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD, the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD.
Under the scheme, where An Garda Síochána (搜索) determines that a person is in possession of drugs for personal use and meets the eligibility criteria, that person will be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) (搜索) for brief intervention and assessment. The scheme is designed to provide early intervention, reduce harm, and support people to access help at the earliest possible point.
A Health-Led Approach to Drug Use
The Health Referral Scheme reflects the Government's commitment to treating drug use as a public health issue rather than solely a criminal justice matter. The approach aligns with the recommendation of the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use for a comprehensive health-led response, with an emphasis on de-penalising drug use. The recommendations regarding the Health Referral Scheme contained in the final report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use were also considered in the implementation of the scheme.
The scheme has been developed by the Department of Health and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (搜索), in partnership with the HSE and An Garda Síochána (搜索), and with the approval of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Its implementation contributes to the National Drugs Strategy and fulfils the Programme for Government commitment.
Eligibility and Enforcement Focus
The scheme applies to eligible first-time offenders found in possession of drugs for personal use. The approach is intended to encourage early engagement with services, provide practical advice, and reduce the potential long-term impact of a first personal possession offence. Importantly, An Garda Síochána (搜索) will continue to target drug supply, drug-related intimidation, and organised criminal activity, ensuring that enforcement remains focused on those involved in the sale, supply, and exploitation linked to illegal drugs.
SAOR Practitioners and Service Delivery
To support the scheme, the Department of Health has provided €700,000 to the HSE to establish a network of SAOR practitioners. These practitioners will receive referrals from An Garda Síochána (搜索) under the scheme and provide an assessment and brief intervention focusing on assessing, and, if necessary, assisting a person to consider and alter their drug use. SAOR practitioners will also be able to make onward referrals to further drug services where appropriate.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Health Referral Scheme will be monitored throughout its first year and evaluated to ensure it is meeting its aims and to inform any further development of the scheme. The Department of Health will shortly launch a social media campaign to raise awareness of the scheme and direct the public to information on eligibility and available health supports.