-Caveat Lector-
From
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,2763,602665,00.html
}}}>Begin
Police urge radical shift on drugs
Staff and agencies
Tuesday November 20, 2001
Senior police officers clashed sharply with the home secretary,
David Blunkett, today when they called for a radical shift on drug
policy.
Addressing a Commons home affairs select committee, they
publicly advocated that ecstasy should be downgraded to a class
B drug and backed the creation of "shooting galleries" where
addicts could legally inject heroin.
Metropolitan Police commander Brian Paddick, who has overseen
the six-month experiment in Brixton, south London, where
cannabis users are being let off with a caution, said arresting
people for possession of ecstasy was a "waste of valuable police
resources" and that attention should be directed at more harmful
drugs.
Mr Blunkett made clear, however, when he announced his intention
to downgrade cannabis to a class C drug, that he was not prepared
to shift ground on ecstasy.
Chief police officers would support ecstasy being downgraded from a class A drug to
class B, if medical and scientific evidence recommended it, the Metropolitan police
deputy assistant commissioner, Andy Hayman, told the
committee.
"There seems to be medical and scientific evidence that puts it alongside other
amphetamines," he said.
Such a move could "make a stronger statement" about the dangers of class A drugs, Mr
Hayman told MPs, who are examining the government's existing drug laws.
The reclassification would take the dance culture drug out of the same group as heroin
and crack cocaine, placing it instead alongside barbiturates and amphetamines.
Committee chairman Chris Mullin raised the idea of so-called "shooting galleries"
based on a German system, which offers addicts clean needles and health advice, and
ensures that contaminated needles were not left in the
street.
He defined the facilities as "licensed premises where heroin can be taken without fear
of arrest".
Mr Hayman, also chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers drugs committee,
confirmed: "If the medical authorities say it is worthwhile and they can be controlled
in a way that people are happy with, then clearl
y from ACPO's perspective they would support it, because it would reduce the tensions
in the community and the erosion of the community."
He agreed it would involve police "turning a blind eye" to the use of class A drugs,
but drew a comparison with Amsterdam's safe areas for prostitution, which seemed to
have been a success.
Chief superintendent Kevin Morris, president of the Superintendents' Association, said
he would also support "shooting galleries" if they operated under "carefully
controlled conditions".
He also called for a proper debate on decriminalisation of cannabis.
Danny Kushlick, director of drug reform group Transform, commented: "Today signals the
end of prohibition in the UK.
"The further calls for decriminalisation and legalisation of cannabis from police
representatives show that the will exists for operational change.
"What is glaring now is the lack of political courage in government to admit that
prohibition has failed."
Related special report
Special report: drugs in Britain
Related articles
11.11.2001: Cannabis could be sold in pubs
06.11.2001: Current laws are causing drugs scourge, campaigners tell MPs
31.10.2001: Easing drugs law wins support
24.10.2001: Cannabis laws eased in drug policy shakeup
Useful sites
DrugScope
Drugs prevention advisory service
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2001
End<{{{
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