Drugs Policy

Monday, 15 Oct 2007 09:12

Govt: 'Emphatically against' drugs legalisation

Monday, 15, Oct 2007 12:00

The government has said it is "emphatically against" drugs legalisation, following comments put forward by a top police chief today.

Chief constable Richard Brunstrom called for the legalisation of drugs and a scientific, rather than moral-based approach to drugs policy. He said a prohibition-style approach had not worked, and illegal drugs were readily available and would not go away by themselves.

Mr Brunstrom was particularly tough on the ABC drugs classification system, saying it was "indefensible".

However, the Home Office did not share his views, though they said they did welcome all constructive contributions to the government's consultation on drugs policy.

"The classification system has stood the test of time," a home office spokesperson told politics.co.uk.

She added current drugs laws send out "clear messages about the potential harms associated with the penalties for dealing in different kinds of drugs."

Govt: 'Emphatically against' drugs legalisation

ACPO: Legalisation would 'exacerbate' drugs harm

Lib Dems: Young people let down by drug policy

Brunstrom: ABC classification system 'defies logic'

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