Brunstrom: ABC classification system 'defies logic'

Monday, 15, Oct 2007 12:00

The existing drug classification system in Britain is antiquated and does not accurately reflect the evidence at hand, chief constable Richard Brunstrom has argued today.

In a report due to be delivered to North Wales Police Authority, Mr Brunstrom insists the ABC system, introduced in 1971 under the Misuse of Drugs Act, threatens draconian sentences which do not deter individuals from using narcotics.

The law has had the same effect prohibition had in America during the 1920s, the report claims, as organised crime has flourished as a result of the ban and usage has not ebbed, but increased.

Mr Brunstrom argues magic mushrooms – which pose a minimal threat to individual and public safety – warrant harsh penalties under the ABC system, whereas alcohol and tobacco – which cause thousands of deaths a year - are not even included.

In Scotland in 2004, tobacco killed about 13,000 people, alcohol 2,052 and all other illegal drugs put together, 356, the report states.

In addition to this it notes the massive economic drains of both alcohol and tobacco on the NHS in England, costing around £1.6 billion to treat annually by 2004 figures, while the total cost of all illegal drugs amounts to about £0.8 billion.

In the report entitled Drugs Policy – A Radical Look Ahead?, Mr Brunstrom calls for national debate on the issue, saying: "The current classification of controlled drugs has no sound underpinning logic.

"Most importantly, the current ABC system illogically excludes both alcohol and tobacco.

"Drugs and psychotropic substances are simply not going to go away as if by magic.

"And so, if drugs cannot be eradicated (and the evidence that they cannot is now overwhelming), then the principal object of public policy should be to reduce as far as possible the great harms that they can and do cause."

The chief constable claims the current prohibitionist stance should be abandoned and replaced with a scientifically accurate system - including tobacco and alcohol – aimed at minimising harm to society.