# War On Drugs
This year
2023
Voices
Opinion: Enough talk - we need to decriminalise the possession of drugs for personal use
Criminologist Dr Ian Marder proposes a paradigm shift away from criminalising drug use and towards a health-led approach.
Last year
2022
# new president
Colombia’s first leftist president says ‘the war on drugs has failed’
Gustavo Petro was sworn into office yesterday.
# War On Drugs
Drug use outside schools and dealers coming to the front door: Ireland's youth drug crisis
Children as young as nine are getting caught up in the drug world.
Children as young as nine are being swept up in a life of drugs, writes Garreth MacNamee.
Cocaine, cannabis and heroin are suspected of being sold and used outside schools in pockets of Dublin.
Drug intimidation is 'rife', according to local reps.
All time
# War On Drugs
Poll: Should drugs be legalised in Ireland?
Youth activists are calling for the end to the prohibition of drugs.
# Weed
US House of Representatives approves bill to decriminalise cannabis at federal level
The bill, which passed 228-164, will now go to the Republican-controlled Senate.
# massive haul
Cocaine worth €220 million seized from tugboat in Atlantic Ocean
A total of 3.7 tonnes of the drug was seized by Spanish police after a tip off from UK authorities.
# War On Drugs
Philippine president Duterte says he'll kill his own son if he is involved in drug trafficking
Protests have erupted in the Philippines over the controversial president’s war on drugs.
# War On Drugs
Philippine lawmakers vote to slash annual funding for human rights commission to just €16
“This leads us on a direct path to dictatorship,” Senator Francis Pangilinan said.
# Philippines
"Inhumane and degrading": Photos of naked prisoners being searched for drugs spark outrage
The photos have triggered accusations of further rights abuses in President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.
# War On Drugs
Philippine mayor and nine bodyguards killed in police shoot-out
The incident occurred hours after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to intensify his crackdown on crime.
# his favourite insult
President of Philippines calls Obama a 'son of a whore'
Rodrigo Duterte is not impressed with the US president’s criticism of his war on drugs.
# War On Drugs
Police in Philippines tell drug users to kill dealers and burn their homes
“You know who the drug lords are. Would you like to kill them? Go ahead.”
# War On Drugs
Doping war of words continues as King beats tainted Russian swimmer to gold
Elsewhere, Sun Yang came under attack after winning the men’s 200m freestyle.
# drugs debate
“Let’s be honest, the war on drugs has failed - it hasn’t actually done anything”
Councillor Gary Gannon spoke today about drugs in his area.
# failing
The UN has been told to end the War on Drugs
Delegates from the European Union, Switzerland, Brazil, Costa Rica, Uruguay among others called for abolishing capital punishment for drug criminals.
# Your Say
Poll: Do you support the 'war on drugs'?
A group of 1,000 politicians, celebrities and campaigners are calling for a shift in drug policy.
# War On Drugs
Why Richard Boyd Barrett thinks heroin and cocaine should be decriminalised
The People Before Profit TD has argued that all drugs should be decriminalised. Here’s why…
# Gang warfare
Mexican drug cartel targets police in ambush attack and kills 15
It’s part of an ongoing battle with police.
# War On Drugs
These maps show the world's hard drug trade in remarkable detail
They exclude cannabis, however, which would need a global graphic all to itself…
# War On Drugs
Revenue dog sniffs out drugs at Portlaoise mail centre
Here’s a tip: Don’t mail your drugs!
# Seized
Did you have a smartphone stolen in Dublin recently? Gardaí just found 70 of them
There was also cannabis, cocaine and heroin found at the same property.
# Guerrero
Mass grave in Mexico being linked to disappearance of 43 students
At least 15 bodies have been recovered from the site so far.
# War On Drugs
PICTURES: Four being questioned following seizure of a tonne of cocaine
The seizure was made in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
# War On Drugs
US police saving people from overdoses with new heroin antidote
Police had been “literally standing by and watching someone die of a drug overdose”.
# War On Drugs
Fireworks, mobile phones and three types of drugs seized in Dublin
Gardaí said the house they searched was unoccupied at the time and no arrests were made.
# War On Drugs
€1.5 million worth of cannabis herb found in Dublin business park
Six men were arrested in two drugs seizures today.
# legalisation
Legal recreational 'pot shops' open in Colorado
Business owners opened their doors to shoppers at 8am, with 25 pot shops in eight towns opening today.
# Dublin
Prescription drugs worth €75k seized from house in Summerhill
A 25-year-old man has been arrested.
# operation wireless
Cocaine worth €385,000 and parts of 8 stolen vehicles seized
Gardaí carried out 419 searches and arrested 89 people during a planned operation nationwide yesterday.
# Going Potty
Uruguay's plan to legalise marijuana moves a step closer
President Jose Mujica says that the move is necessary as an alternative in the war on drugs.
# War On Drugs
Britain's drug policies are not working, say MPs
A new report by MPs wants drug laws overhauled – and retailers of ‘legal highs’ to be held liable for any harm the products cause.
# the system works
Anti-doping measures are working - Rogge
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president says the number of bans is proof that progress is being made.
# Mexico
Over 47,500 killed in Mexican drug wars
Figures released by Mexico yesterday show that thousands have been killed in drugs-related violence
# War On Drugs
Colombian president urges rethink on drugs war
Juan Manuel Santos says he’s open to discussing the legalisation of marijuana as well as other substances in an effort to tackle the drugs trade in a new way.
# Mexico
Mexican police uncover mass graves with 59 bodies near US border
The discovery was made while police were searching for abducted bus passengers in a violent northern state bordering Texas.
# Drugs
Drug smuggling tunnel discovered under US-Mexico border
Two people are arrested after cops unearth a tunnel so sophisticated that it even includes a small railway.
