There are calls for more resources to be put into drug treatment services for people found to be in possession of drugs intended for personal use.
This week the Drugs minister Aodhan O Riordain held an event in Dublin to discuss ideas and new models for dealing with the drugs problem.
Among the ideas was the decriminalisation of the possession of drugs for personal use.
Charity campaigner, Fr. Peter McVerry, says criminal prosecutions don't act as a strong enough deterrent for some addicts:
