Those caught with drugs won't face criminal conviction until third offence under radical 'three-strike' plan

Charlie Flanagan will unveil the proposals today. Picture: Collins

Hugh O'Connell

A radical 'three-strike' plan that will see people caught with small amounts of illegal drugs avoid criminal conviction on the first and second occasion but face the courts on the third will be unveiled by the Government today.

Reforms to how those caught in possession of illicit substances are dealt with stop short of full decriminalisation, but represent an unprecedented shift in the State's approach to drug use.