Senior Kilkenny politician speaks out on the potential decriminalisation of drugs
Would you support the decriminalisation of illegal drugs?
Cahthaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Joe Malone any potential move to decriminalise drugs at government level.
Cllr Malone, a long-term advocate for supports to assist young people facing the negative consequences of illegal substances, fears the decriminalisation may lead to their ‘normalisation’ in society.
"When I left the army I went on to study addiction studies because I wanted to continue helping people. You can have all the qualifications in the world, but you really learn by getting out on the ground and meeting people,” Mr Malone told Kilkenny Live.
"Drugs are a huge issue, not just in Kilkenny but right across society. I don't agree with the normalisation or decriminalisation of drugs because young people are being told by some people that certain drugs are harmless when they're not.
"When somebody finally decides they want help, they can be waiting six months or longer to get into treatment. That's why education is so important.
“We have fantastic facilities in Kilkenny, from libraries and sports clubs to community organisations, and we should be encouraging young people towards those opportunities."
Read the full interview this weekend on Kilkenny Live