TIME
TO CHANGE DRUG POLICIES: published letter
Source: Yorkshire Evening Press, UK
Pub date: Tuesday 22 February 2005
Pub LTE: Time to change drug policies
Author: Steve Clements
Web: http://www.thisisyork.co.uk/york/archive/2005/02/22/york_news_readersletters6884ZM.html
KEVIN Curran's film sounds a very useful tool in the continuing struggle
against the drug problems encountered on the estates of York and across Britain
(February 17).
Any information put into the public arena regarding the complex problems
of drug use and abuse can only be a good thing.
Unfortunately, despite more than four decades of prohibition, there has
been an increase in drug use year on year. Availability of all illegal drugs
has become easier and cheaper.
The Legalise Cannabis Alliance has been trying to talk to politicians
about one specific illegal drug now for several years and, despite former home
secretary David Blunkett calling for an open and honest debate, politicians
will not talk about these issues with the people of this country.
The good work of groups such as Connexions and Compass drug group are
only a dot on the landscape and much more needs to be done.
Unfortunately part of the bigger picture must require changes in law and
in society's attitude to the use of drugs.
Remember there is little difference between alcohol and tobacco and
heroin or cannabis - except in law.
People may struggle to understand policies based on de-criminalisation,
but having shooting galleries, NHS prescriptions of addictive drugs to those in
need, needle exchange schemes, would all help to reduce massively the crime
associated with drugs of high addiction.
A scheme of prescribing heroin in Switzerland has led to a 70 per cent
reduction in drug-related crime.
Steve Clements,
The Legalise Cannabis Alliance,
Church Street, York.