Pubdate: Mon, 01 Dec 2014
Source: Manchester Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Manchester Evening News
Contact:  http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1313
Page: 4

SIR PETER: WE NEED A MORE MEDICAL APPROACH...

Sir Peter Fahy said he was in favour of a 'more medical approach' to 
dealing with drug offenders.

The GMP chief constable added that 'everyone' involved in drugs 
policy had 'concerns' about the current approach.

A Home Office report revealed there was 'no obvious' link between 
tough laws and drug use.

It sparked a debate of decriminalisation of some or all drugs - with 
the report pointing to the example of Portugal, where there has been 
a 'considerable' improvement in the health of users since the country 
made possession a health issue rather than a criminal one in 2001.

Sir Peter said: "Drugs policy and enforcement is a complex area of 
public policy and I think everyone involved has concerns about the 
impact of current approaches. The police service has worked with 
charities and the NHS to develop alternative approaches to those with 
drug addiction and in general I favour this more medical approach.

"We need to be clear about the nature of organised drug dealing and 
the extremes of violence used. There needs to be strong deterrent to 
the calculations they make in carrying out their criminal activities.

"The idea that, if you legalised some or all drugs, this lot would 
become law abiding citizens is bizarre."
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