Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: Richard Ford, Home Correspondent

DRUG USE RISES AFTER POLICE TRY LENIENT APPROACH

THE leader of Britain's rank-and-file police officers said yesterday that 
the use of hard drugs and cannabis was increasing in an area of South 
London that has adopted a "softly softly" approach to cannabis.

Fred Broughton, chairman of the Police Federation, also told MPs that the 
scheme had given youngsters the impression that cannabis use had been 
condoned by the police and other authorities.

Mr Broughton said that crack abusers and crack dealers had become more 
active and visible in Lambeth since the piloting of the relaxed attitude 
towards cannabis users. He said: "There's anecdotal evidence in South 
London that the change in procedures is encouraging more people to come to 
that area and more people are involving themselves in cannabis.

"There's also anecdotal evidence that more serious matters " crack abusers 
and crack dealers " are becoming more visible and more active."

Mr Broughton, whose organisation represents 126,000 police officers, 
criticised the pilot scheme when he gave evidence to a cross-party Commons 
Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the Government's drugs policy.

"I don't think that what's currently practised in South London is reducing 
the number of people who are using cannabis or using other drugs. In fact, 
the reverse seems to be true," he said.

"It is alleged that there are more people openly smoking cannabis in and 
around the town centre. One officer told me that whereas a year or so ago a 
member of the public would hide from you in relation to smoking cannabis, 
now they are openly smoking it."

Mr Broughton said that police officers in Lambeth who worked as school 
liaison officers reported confusion among pupils and teachers who thought 
that cannabis had been decriminalised.

Under the scheme, started by Brian Paddick, the local police commander, 
those found with small amounts of cannabis for personal use are warned, not 
arrested. The drug is confiscated. He was not available for comment yesterday.

Since the initiative began, 400 people have escaped prosecution after being 
stopped by police and found to be in possession of cannabis.
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