Pubdate: Mon, 30 Sep 2013
Source: Daily Express (UK)
Copyright: 2013 Northern and Shell Media Publications
Contact:  http://www.express.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/145
Author: Chris Riches
Page: 25

OUTCRY AT POLICE CHIEF'S PLEA TO LEGALISE DRUGS

A POLICE chief who broke ranks to call for class A drugs to be
legalised was yesterday told to "focus on his day job" and catch criminals.

Durham Chief Constable Mike Barton suggested the NHS could supply
drugs to addicts, breaking the monopoly and fortunes of criminal gangs.

Comparing banning drugs to the alcohol prohibition in 1920s America
which gave rise to Al Capone and the Mafia, he argued that
criminalising them put billions into the pockets of gangs.

But his comments prompted a storm of criticism yesterday from pressure
groups.

Robert Oxley, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Legalising class A
drugs would be a backward step. The NHS is already under pressure
without having to fund recreational drugs.

"This police chief should focus on his job catching criminals rather
than deciding what kind of treatment people get in hospital."
Hertfordshire Chief Constable Andy Bliss, the head of drug policy for
the Association of Chief Police Officers, also warned his colleague
that he could be sending the wrong message to vulnerable youngsters.

He said any decision to decriminalise hard-core drugs would be a
matter for Parliament, not the police, and added: "We need to be very
thoughtful about setting clear boundaries, especially for young
people, in relation to drugs, their misuse and criminal activity
surrounding them.

"Illicit drugs markets are dynamic and the wider issue is not just
about class A drugs. Issues like cannabis farms and new psychoactive
drugs also create social harms and attract organised criminality."

Mr Barton claimed that decriminalisation and offering an alternative,
controlled legal supply would strike a major blow against criminal
gangs.

He said it would also dent their image among some youngsters as
glamorous.

Mr Barton wrote: "In my force area we have 43 organised crime groups
on our radar. Most have their primary source of income in illicit drug
supply  all of them are involved in some way. These criminals are
often local heroes and role models for young people who covet their
wealth.

"Decriminalising their commodity will immediately cut off their income
stream and destroy their power."

Mr Barton is one of the North's most experienced crimefighters and has
pioneered initiatives to break up criminal networks in County Durham
via his force's Operation Sledgehammer.

He also holds the national intelligence role for the Association of
Chief Police Officers across the UK.

Last night the drugs policy reform group Transform Drugs Policy
Foundation praised Mr Barton's stance.

Spokesman Danny Kuschlick said: "We're delighted to see a chief
constable stand up and tell the truth - prohibition doesn't work.

"He is that all-too-rare thing - a man who serves on the front line,
with principles and courage, and supports effective reform."
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