Pubdate: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 Source: Herald, The (UK) Contact: http://www.theherald.co.uk/ Author: Lynne Robertson POLICE CHIEF CALLS FOR REFORM OF DRUGS CLASSIFICATION THE urgent need for a new classification of drugs has been defended by the only Scottish-based member of a controversial independent think-tank. Mr John Hamilton, the chief constable of Fife, said the limitations of the present system were illustrated by the fact that alcohol and tobacco were not officially classified - and yet were as dangerous as some of the substances examined by the Police Foundation Inquiry. Speaking for the first time since the findings of the team were published, he also emphasised the importance of involving young people in the debate, in an effort to reduce Scotland's drugs death toll. Mr Hamilton said he hoped the Scottish Parliament would have the opportunity to consider the report. The two-year inquiry, established to provide the Government with an independent review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, made 81 recommendations, including a call to downgrade ecstasy from its current class A classification to class B, and to drop cannabis from class B to the lesser class C. This prompted outrage from drugs campaigners. Hypothetically positioning alcohol and tobacco in the three-tier classifications, the police chief said: "I think it is worth recognising if we were to place tobacco and alcohol in these categories, then alcohol would sit between class A and class B, and tobacco would sit between B and C." Mr Hamilton restated the committee's call for cannabis to be used to alleviate the suffering of those with serious medical conditions, under strict supervision, but added the irony was that pharmaceutical heroin could be prescribed to treat those suffering from certain conditions, while cannabis could not. Emphasising the committee's view that all drugs, regardless of classification, were harmful, Mr Hamilton said: "There are none of them safe. The whole purpose of the 1971 Act was to separate out the most dangerous and categorise them at different levels. It is all the more important that we make sure the drugs are in the right category." He said criticism that the think tank was sending out the wrong message with its 148-page report was unfounded, and warned of the dangers in retaining current classifications. "Much has been made of the fact that we are sending the wrong message. The wrong message has already been sent out, because quite clearly all the scientific evidence indicates ecstasy should be in class B. "The danger is if teenagers try ecstasy and find it is okay, they might think other drugs in that category (currently, A) are okay too, such as heroin and cocaine. Having taken cannabis, they might think that other drugs in the B class are also okay. "The wrong message has already been sent. We want to correct that so it is an accurate message. I am wholeheartedly in favour of the view that it is important that we have public awareness and public education and particularly education of the young, but that education has to be based on sound, correct, up-to-date facts. The truth of the matter is we are not giving them sound, correct information." He said it was important that the final response of Government to the report was "considered and reflective", despite initial indications that the conclusions had not been viewed favourably. "The committee did not expect Government to rush into a response. I think that when it is examined in the whole, the report will be seen for the value that it is. I hope that the report will stand the test of time far beyond the life of any Government or Opposition." Mr Hamilton, who visited Amsterdam coffee houses openly selling cannabis in his research, restated the need for young people to be involved in the debate. "If we are hoping to solve the drug problem ... (we) need to bring young people into the debate because they know more about drugs and solving the drug problem than anyone else." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D