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UK: MPs are urged to back drug reform
The Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Saturday 26 Oct 2002 TWO Labour councillors have called on East Lancashire MPs to back a major reform of the country's cannabis laws. Coun John Burke said if more MPs signed up to the Angel Declaration for Drugs Reform, issued by Newport West MP Paul Flynn, there was more chance of it being debated in the Houses of Parliament. His Hyndburn Council colleague, cabinet member Coun David Myles, said all drug legislation in this country needed to be overhauled, adding that 30 years of the harshest penalties in Europe had not worked. The declaration states that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is no longer appropriate and calls for new legislation to cover all drugs. Only 11 out of 650 MPs have signed it. It advocates the setting up of a national drugs agency to regulate the sale of drugs in licensed shops supplied by a chain of licensed producers, importers and distributors. Coun Burke, who is helping to organise a pro-cannabis rally in Accrington, said: "If MPs support the motion it will be looked at faster, and that means the quicker the bill will move up the line to be spoken about in the Houses of Parliament. People should lobby their MPs to sign it as they are the representatives of the people of the area. "I think it's a good idea. It gives control to the whole situation. People would know were we were getting, and it's a way of providing money to improve public services, such as the firefighters' pay increase. "I will be approaching Greg Pope to ask him if he will sign the bill for the decriminalisation and see what his response is." Coun Burke has collected more than 100 names this week for a petition supporting the town's first Amsterdam-style cafe on Warner Street. He said he would be raising a petition for the decriminalisation of cannabis at the rally. Coun Myles said: "I would encourage anyone to lobby their MP. "In 1971 there were 500 registered heroin users in this country. Now the health service is maintaining the health of 250,000 heroin users. "I feel it's time to try a new approach. We need to invigorate the debate." Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said there were more important issues to worry about. "My constituents are interested in how we can improve hospitals, education and transport. I think drug reform is a diversion from all that."
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