Drug policy profiles : Ireland

The national drug policy of Ireland comes under the spotlight in the latest volume in the EMCDDA series of Drug policy profiles published in February. Examining the evolution of Irish drug policy through four periods of historic development, the report explores: the country's national strategies; the legal context within which they operate; the public funds spent, or committed, to implement them; and the political bodies and mechanisms set up to coordinate the response to the problem. The profile sets this information in context by outlining the size, wealth and economic situation of the country as a whole, as well as the historical development of the current policy. Also described is the manner in which events in Ireland bear similarities with, and differences from, developments in other European countries. This EMCDDA series aims to describe some of the main characteristics of national drug policies in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The profiles do not attempt to assess national policies, but instead outline their development and main features.