Drugs Policy

Monday, 15 Oct 2007 09:12

Lib Dems: Young people let down by drug policy

Monday, 15, Oct 2007 12:00

The Liberal Democrats have lambasted the government's drugs policy following a speech from a police chief today calling for a scientific approach to drugs classification.

Richard Brunstrom, chief constable of north Wales, said today drug policies had been

"surrounded by harsh and unforgiving moralistic political rhetoric" and the ABC classification was "indefensible", particularly as it did not include tobacco and alcohol.

He pointed to figures in Scotland for 2004 showing tobacco and alcohol combined killed around 15,000 people, whereas abuse of illegal drugs resulted in around 350 deaths.

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, Nick Clegg, said: "Richard Brunstrom is right to say the government’s drug policy is a spectacular failure. Many thousands of young people are being let down by the refusal of ministers to think radically.

"However, full legalisation is not the way forward. What is needed is a more logical and evidence-based approach that is not constantly altered depending on the whims of various home secretaries."

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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BNTL Freeway

BNTL is an organisation seeking to promote healthy drug-free life styles and to inform on the effect of alcohol and drugs on individuals and communities.