ACPO: Legalisation would 'exacerbate' drugs harm

Monday, 15, Oct 2007 12:00

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has said a police chief's proposals to legalise all drugs would "greatly exacerbate the harm to people in this country".

Chief constable Richard Brunstrom called for a radical rethink on drugs policy today, saying the ABC classification system was not based on evidence and was morality based rather than scientific. He called for drugs to be legalised and a new approach to be taken.

"ACPO does not agree with the repeal of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or the legalisation of drugs – this is arguably a counsel of despair," said chief constable Ken Jones, president of ACPO.

He defended current drugs policy saying: "ACPO would not turn away from any measure which we believe would reduce it [harm from drugs] further. Existing policies and approaches, which aim to reduce harm and enforce our laws, are constantly challenged by us and adapted.

"This is a complex pernicious global problem. Moving to total legalisation would, in our view, greatly exacerbate the harm to people in this country, not reduce it. It simply does not make sense to legitimise dangerous narcotic substances which would then have the potential to ruin even more lives and our neighbourhoods."

The organisation points to international evidence showing no country has "managed to contain the ravages caused by the universally legal – and regulated - supply of tobacco and alcohol to people".

"We are the primary law enforcement agency in the UK and wish to reassure the people of this country, our partners in other countries, and those involved in this criminal activity, of our continued resolve to tackle this issue."