Gardaí referred almost 100 people to Limerick drug services last year

ALMOST 100 people in 2025 were referred by Limerick Gardaí to a local drug addiction service instead of being prosecuted.

ALMOST 100 people in 2025 were referred by Limerick Gardaí to a local drug addiction service instead of being prosecuted before the courts for having small amounts of controlled drugs for their own use.

The figures, published by Ana Liffey Mid West of the LEAR (Law Engagement Assisted Recovery) initiative, came as An Garda Síochána announced it was implementing a national Health Referral Scheme (HRS) from September 1.

91 people engaged with Limerick Gardaí through the LEAR campaign, receiving referrals to Ana Liffey, according to figures published in its annual report for last year.

LEAR was introduced as a “health intervention” in Limerick in 2023, in a response to rising numbers of people abusing and becoming addicted to crack cocaine, largely due to underlying health issues.

LEAR includes a crack cocaine support service, including the provision of clean crack pipes, via Ana Liffey.

The sharing and reuse of dirty crack pipes causes further health complications for those abusing the drug.

Last year, Ana Liffey Mid West served 1,154 unique service users through its harm-reduction supplies service, rough sleeper outreach, and women’s health and other programmes.

“Our LEAR team partners with Gardaí across Limerick City Centre provide support services to people who are caught in a cycle of criminal behaviour, often due to their addiction, homelessness, and mental health issues,” said Ana Liffey.

“LEAR aims to make it possible for service users to (break that cycle) identify and achieve (personal) goals and supporting them moving away from criminality and towards their personal recovery.

“LEAR provides key working, case management, overdose prevention training, as well as domestic, gender, and sexual based violence support,” it added.

Meanwhile, Gardaí said the national Health Referral Scheme (HRS) pilot programme, developed with the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and HSE, would allow Gardaí an “alternative response to persons over the age of 18 found in possession of a small quantity of controlled drugs for personal use”.

“Instead of prosecuting an individual for simple possession, Gardaí can opt to refer the person to the HSE’s HRS, as an alternative to a prosecution or adult caution.”

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: “The Health Referral Scheme is a positive development and allows our members to support harm reduction by directing first-time offenders to the health services.”

“Drug use remains illegal and is a serious danger to the health of all users. Having a mechanism to steer those taking drugs towards support services, rather than into the criminal justice system, is a welcome step in tackling the overall issue of drug use in Ireland,” added Commissioner Kelly.