RTE Prime Time viewers were left divided by the topic of conversation on Tuesday night's programme - the decriminalisation and legalisation of drugs in Ireland.
Debating whether or not this would be the right approach for Ireland, Sarah McInerney was joined by James Lawless, a Fianna Fail TD and Bobby Smyth, an addiction specialist.
While the reasoning behind changes to the law seemed legitimate to Mr. Lawless, Mr. Smyth argued that the health issues which may arise as drugs become more accessible would be of concern for many reasons.
READ MORE: Charlie Bird thanks Bank of Ireland staff for their help after 'crying uncontrollably'
Mr. Lawless suggested that the alcohol framework currently in use in Ireland could be a good option for monitoring the sale of drugs by licenced professionals, but many viewers were not convinced.
One wrote: “Not clear as to whether the "alcohol model" is a good example of a well-managed approach to drug control”.
Another said: “I was a student nurse in @MaterNursing during the worst days of the Heroin & HIV epidemics in Dublin. Not sure we need more legal drugs alongside alcohol & nicotine in Ireland? What's best, decriminalisation and/or legalisation??? #rtept”
Among a huge number of responses was a third person who said: “Decriminalisation increases use of drugs and as competition pushes price down much young teens will have access and the evidence is there that dealers remain but become more dangerous #rtept”.
There were people in support of the move to decriminalise certain drugs, referencing other countries where it has worked.
One viewer took to Twitter and said: “Decriminalisation worked in Portugal why not here.”
Another said: “If it has worked elsewhere, why wouldn’t it work here? Things are already out of control and dealers have control”.
READ NEXT:
Irish Tesco shoppers warned popular product may be ‘unsafe’ to eat
Gardai probing alleged knife murder get more time to quiz suspect
Brooke Scullion fined €300 after pet cat 'wrecked' Dublin apartment
Stepdad of missing Amy Fitzpatrick appears in court over alleged assault
David Beckham and son Cruz, 18, hit the pub again as they sink pints in Dublin
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
