Pubdate: Wed, 05 Nov 2014
Source: Courier, The (Dundee, UK)
Copyright: DC Thomson & Co Ltd
Contact:  http://www.thecourier.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/802
Author: Gayle Ritchie
Page: 27

CRIME OR HEALTH ISSUE?

As the Decriminalisation of Drugs Comes Back on the Political Agenda, 
We Polled Courier Readers on Their Views. Gayle Ritchie Explores the Results

VISIT MOST Sheriff Courts in Scotland on any day of the week and the 
chances are they will be inundated with people charged with drug offences.

Many, but not all, of these people are repeat offenders, flouting the 
law time and time again, and wasting taxpayers' money in the process.

Some might argue the laws prohibiting drug use are largely 
disregarded; the vast majority of drug users shrug their shoulders at the law.

A Home Office report last week (which indirectly led to the 
resignation of Lib Dem Minister Norman Baker this week) concluded 
that harsh punishments do nothing to dissuade people from using 
illegal drugs. Campaigners renewed calls for a fresh approach to drug 
legislation, with some making the case for decriminalising the 
possession of outlawed drugs.

The report, which divided politicians and is said to have caused 
"panic" among officials, followed moves in several countries to 
legalise or decriminalise the use of some drugs.

More than 1,500 people voted in The Courier's online poll which 
asked: Should drugs possession be decriminalised? 65% of those who 
voted believe that drugs possession should continue to be a crime.

Broughty Ferry Conservative councillor Derek Scott agreed with the 
majority of voters. "Drugs ruin lives and cause misery to families 
and communities," he said.

"I'm not supportive of decriminalising drugs as I think it would lead 
to greater use and addiction. I believe the best strategy is to focus 
on education, prevention and supporting recovery."

Dave Barrie, senior development worker at Addaction Dundee, believes 
dishing out custodial sentences to people who possess drugs is pointless.

"Drugs are illegal, which means the people we work with who use drugs 
are classified as criminals," he said. "We know that criminalising 
somebody can cause problems of its own, adding to the stigma those 
people face and presenting barriers to their recovery.

"While we accept that crimes committed under the influence of drugs, 
or in the throes of addiction, need to be treated appropriately by 
the authorities, we believe that custodial sentences for possession 
of drugs are an ineffective approach to substance misuse.

"Addiction is a health issue and should be treated as such; 
decriminalisation would aid this mind-set. However, we also know that 
decriminalisation isn't a solution for all the problems associated with drugs.

"To meaningfully address the wider challenges posed by drugs, any 
legal regulation must be complemented by improvements in public 
health, education, prevention, treatment and recovery, as well as 
action on poverty, inequality and social exclusion."

Mr Barrie said Addaction has seen no convincing evidence to suggest a 
substance's legality or classification is at the root of drug users' problems.

He added: "Legalisation may reduce crime relating to the production, 
distribution and sale of such illegal drugs, but there's no 
conclusive evidence it will reduce the level of experimentation, use 
and addiction and the impact and harm such drug usage causes."

Dr Stuart Waiton, a sociology lecturer at Abertay University wasn't 
surprised by the results of our poll; he thinks most people are 
against decriminalising drugs. Speaking in a personal capacity, he 
said: "I think in principle, drugs should be legal. It's a victimless 
crime, at least in terms of other people. In a free society if you 
want to do stuff, you should be able to.

"However the problem is there's a danger people will not be 
responsible but that's not really something that the state should 
determine. The bigger problem is that we live in a culture that 
encourages people to think things aren't their fault; the drugs 
policy is a perfect example of that. We now talk about people on 
drugs as victims and as a health problem which essentially takes any 
sense of moral capacity away from individuals.

"Even if drugs are decriminalised, it will still be being done on 
that basis - assuming they need to protect people who might not be 
safe. If society is going to say drug taking is illegal, it should be 
treated as a criminal thing. I don't think drug taking is a health thing.

"The problem today is we find it diff icult to work out how we can do 
anything do in society without creating a law on it and policing it."

Edinburgh-based Crew works to reduce the harm and stigma associated 
with drug use. It neither condemns nor condones substance use.

Acting CEO Emma Cranshaw said: "Banning known drugs creates demand 
and drives the development and supply of more new drugs which are 
formulated to get round existing drug laws. We'd prefer to see action 
taken against suppliers rather than end users in recognition of the 
fact that we can't legislate drugs out of existence.

"Research shows that drugs being illegal doesn't stop people taking them.

"Many factors associated with drugs being banned are also factors 
which increase risk to individuals taking drugs and communities 
around them - organised crime; people stealing to support an 
expensive habit in a market with no price regulation; lack of 
consistency in purity leading to accidental fatal overdoses."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg earlier this year pledged to abolish 
prison sentences for the possession of drugs for personal use - 
including Class A substances like heroin and cocaine.

Mr Clegg challenged David Cameron to look at issues such as 
decriminalisation or legalisation of drugs, despite the Prime 
Minister previously rejecting calls for a Royal Commission to 
consider the contentious issue. Number 10 said there was "no chance" 
that "reckless" calls for decriminalisation would be entertained.
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