Drug Reform – NI Youth and the “Public Enemy Number One”

By Samuel Ellis

“Reefer Madness”, a 1936 release and infamous Hollywood anti-drug propaganda film, declares in an onscreen prologue; “the frightful toll of the new drug menace… is destroying the youth…a violent narcotic-an unspeakable scourge-the real public enemy number one!”. These sentiments mirror the government official stance on the drug issue. 

The response adopted (wrongly) by governments is to impose a kind of authoritarian power to law-enforcement to suppress drug users and traffickers. Under pressure from the United States in 1964, the U.K. passed the ‘Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act’, introducing criminalisation for possession. Later, police were given powers to stop and search people and raid homes. 

The same measures exist to this day and have exacerbated the issue. 

Alternative viewpoints (the voice of reason) understand that the drug-abuse and the drug-trafficking underground (which is responsible for much of the death) is generated by the government suppression which forces these substances into criminal hands. In turn, this forces users to obtain substances from criminals, who often create the drugs through shabby practices (like cutting with fentanyl), resulting in potentially fatally laced product. 

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been touched by the negative effects of drug abuse. Friends have been lulled into the sweet embrace of addiction. One of the worst moments of my life was helping a friend battle the first wave of withdrawal. Worse yet is the horror stories of death by overdose. 

Northern Ireland, with reference to the drug death rate, is ‘one of the highest compared to other European countries’[1]. Classified by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) as ‘Drug-Misuse Deaths’, drug-related deaths In NI have tripled in the previous decade. 63 drug-misuse deaths were recorded in 2010, 165 in 2019, 180 in 2020. [2]

‘In recent years, there has been an increase in drug deaths in Northern Ireland. The current rate is the second highest in the UK’. ‘Reliable reports…indicate that the increase in deaths primarily affects younger age groups’. [1]

Is this epidemic of substance use literally destroying the youth? 

‘The highest number of drug related/ overdose [ambulance] calls for females is in the 15-19 age category, while for males it is in the 25-29 age category’. [1]

The issue is more complex than this. For me, it’s a two-pronged issue. Substance use is something I advocate for when considering Cannabis or Psychedelics (The positive effects are infinite), but dislike the addiction threat and bodily destruction common with Class A drugs like Heroin and Cocaine (without championing an all-out ban on either). In truth, my brain implodes when discussing this issue- this is not a one size fits all problem. The best I can offer is that Alcoholism is an issue comparable to drug addiction and yet, as a substance is perfectly legal. 

Per the Kolkata Mental Hospital, the ‘primary objectives of this [drug awareness] day include’: ‘Raising Awareness’, ‘Encouraging Prevention ‘and ‘Supporting Victims’ [5]. 

A path to change in the drug issue facing this country is the drug reform movement. Opposing the criminalisation and villainization of drug-users, the movement advocates a change in drug-laws and the police response, possibly solving the issue. 

‘There are calls for a shake-up of drug laws here (NI) to save lives and clamp down on paramilitary crime, with arrests at an all-time high but the drug-related death toll rising in spite of that.’ [6]

National Drug Awareness Day could be a flashpoint for change in NI. Existing methods for combating the drug problem in NI have failed. Draconian measures, such as stop and search and police raids, have proven ineffective in this country. 

In 2023, Queen’s University held an event focused on tackling ““a crisis” of addiction and exploitation in Northern Ireland”. [7]

Drug reform activist “Órfhlaith Campbell said: “We’ve got a crisis here in Northern Ireland, and it’s urgent that our politicians start paying attention to the solutions or else they’ll have blood on their hands. We need to be looking at legalising and regulating the drug market to take the control out of the grip of paramilitaries/organised crime”. [7]

The drug issue requires a new solution. I for one place my hopes in legalisation, bringing substance use into the open, both for its positive effects, and for the elimination of addiction and overdose death. 

Bibliography:

1. Fitzmaurice, Maurice. “Northern Ireland drugs report finds “escalating crisis” of younger victims”. 14 Nov 2023. Northern Ireland drugs report finds “escalating crisis” of younger victims | Belfast Live
2. NISRA. “Drug-related and drug-misuse deaths information paper”. February 2022. Drug-related and drug-misuse deaths information paper
3. United Nations. Press Release. “’Most Essential Strategy for Halting Flow of Drugs’ Is Prevention, Says Secretary-General, Marking International Day”. 18 June 2025. ‘Most Essential Strategy for Halting Flow of Drugs’ Is Prevention, Says Secretary-General, Marking International Day | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases
4. “Significance of International Drug Abuse & Trafficking Prevention Day”. Significance of International Drug Abuse & Trafficking Prevention Day
5. McCarron, Sarah. “Northern Ireland’s drug crisis: Is it time for a policy rethink?”. 17 October 2023. Northern Ireland’s drug crisis: Is it time for a policy rethink? | UTV | ITV News
6. Lynch, Connor. “Experts to call for drug legalisation and regulation to address crisis in Northern Ireland at Queen’s University event”. 19 March 2024. Experts to call for drug legalisation and regulation to address crisis in Northern Ireland at Queen’s University event | Belfast Live