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UK: Tories Seek Inquiry into Downgrading of Cannabis

David Barrett

PA News

Wednesday 12 Jan 2005

---


An attempt to force the Government to launch an independent inquiry into=20
its downgrading of cannabis was launched by Conservatives today.

Tory MP and party vice-chairman Nigel Evans published a Private Member=92s=
=20
Bill which would set up a commission to examine the effects of the decision=
=20
to move dope from Class B to Class C.

The drug was downgraded one year ago, making possession a non-arrestable=20
offence in most cases and ranking it alongside steroids and some=20
anti-depressants.

Mr Evans=92s Bill also proposes a mandatory seven year jail sentence if a=20
dealer is caught selling Class A drugs for the third time.

It also says that any adult convicted of selling Class A drugs to a child=20
for profit should receive a custodial sentence.

Mr Evans came second in this year=92s ballot for Private Member=92s Bills=
but=20
his Drugs (Sentencing and Commission of Enquiry) Bill would require=20
government backing to become law.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: =93This Bill will take action =96=20
whether the Government supports it or not will prove whether they are=20
serious about fighting the war on drugs.=94

He added: =93Labour has lost control of the drugs problem, which is=
corroding=20
our society.

=93The street price of drugs is lower than it=92s ever been.

=93Drug pushers are more aggressive in selling than they=92ve ever been.

=93Violent crime, much of it fuelled by drug crime, is higher than it=92s=
ever=20
been.

=93Promises by Tony Blair=92s Government to crack down on drugs have turned=
out=20
to be all talk.=94

The Bill places ministers in a difficult position because they are unlikely=
=20
to want their drugs policy to be dictated by an Opposition party but if=20
they fail to back the Bill opponents could accuse them of being =93soft on=
=20
drugs=94.

Mr Evans said: =93We need a detailed examination of how cannabis should be=
=20
classified in this country.

=93Currently there is confusion amongst youngsters and the police as how to=
=20
treat the drug, and the setting up of an independent commission will=20
present the Government with options as to the most measured response to=
take.=94

He added: =93This Bill will be tough on pushers of drugs and will help bring=
=20
an end to the spiral of misery that their trade causes.

=93It is a fact that drug-related offences have increased by almost a=
quarter=20
since 2001-02.

=93In Britain there are a million hard drug users whilst the British Crime=
=20
Survey 2002-3 showed that 3% of all people between the ages of 16 and 59=20
had used a Class A drug in the previous year.

=93It is widely reported that cocaine can be bought more cheaply than coffee=
=20
on the streets of the UK.

=93Clearly the pushers need punishing.=94

The Bill will have its first reading on February 25.

 

 

 

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