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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Drugs charity - Don't criminalise users over small amounts
Ananova
Tuesday 20 Nov 2001 DrugScope is to tell the Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into drug laws that people should not be penalised for possessing small quantities of drugs. Giving its submission to the inquiry, the leading drugs charity will argue there is no evidence the threat of prison deters simple possession. It will also argue prison is not the best way of stopping long term drug abuse. Roger Howard, the charity's chief executive, said: "DrugScope does not believe that involving people in the criminal justice system for the possession of small amounts of any drug is a proportionate response." "The evidence shows that criminal sanctions do not stop people using drugs and such sanctions are costly to the state. " "DrugScope believe that criminalisation for the possession of drugs like cannabis is an excessively harsh response." "At the other end of the spectrum, drug users with serious drug problems need help and treatment, not a criminal record that will exclude them still further from society. " In written evidence to the Inquiry the charity also calls for other amendments and reassessments of existing drugs laws.
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