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June 2013 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 21
Debate |
Decriminalisation
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PROPOSER: Dr Neil McKeganey,
founder, Centre for Drugs Misuse Research, Scotland
We’re not discussing decriminalisation, we’re discussing the timing. Humans
have an unquestionable desire for any drugs. Why is criminal law involved in this
area? It’s society’s attempt to limit the scale.
The impact of treatment on dependency is modest. You can exhort people to
give up drug use – and you can keep them alive until they decide to do it for
themselves. Some believe that the best that prevention can do is delay the onset
of drug use. That’s why there are criminal justice barriers – to reduce to a
minimum the drug use in society.
We know informally that the policy of decriminalisation is being pursued in
the UK; cannabis is dealt with in a ‘softly softly’ way, and I think this is preferable.
But there is no need for a grandiose statement and the biggest change in drug
laws in 50 years. There’s a downward spiral in drug use – the latest British Crime
Survey shows the biggest drop since we started recording data.
But the biggest point in favour of the motion is the changing nature of drug
use in the UK. The continuing escalating curve of heroin use is not being borne
out and we’re also seeing a reduction in people contacting drug treatment
services. So the actual profile of the drug using population is changing.
It’s not all rosy in the garden of drug use statistics – there’s a continuing
propensity to use psychoactive substances. But we’re seeing the most dramatic
reduction in people using drugs. Now is not the time to look at decriminalisation
– there’s a risk of reversing the overall downward trend we’re now witnessing.
It’s arrogant to say it’s just a public health issue. I find it staggering that you
think there is no role for criminal justice to play.
SECONDER: Humphrey Narebor,
DATUS
The criminal justice system helped me on my path to abstinence. When I heard
there was a debate going on, I thought I have to dissuade you from this crazy line
of thinking.
Decriminalisation will increase drug use or sustain it among current users.
Drugs, legal or otherwise don’t work – say no to decriminalisation.
OPPOSED BY: Steve Rolles,
senior policy analyst, Transform Drug Policy Foundation
We’re criminalising certain risk-taking behaviour in a way that’s arbitrary. There
are about 6m people in the UK who are criminalised by the law as it stands. Very
few people go to prison for possession in the UK – but they do globally, and it
creates a criminal record.
There’s a lack of research into the deterrent effect of decriminalisation. Neil
noted that we’re adopting a less punitive approach – this undermines his
argument. Punishment is at the heart of the paradigm – but there’s not much
evidence for its effect. And in moving to decriminalisation, there’s no link with
increase of use.
There’s enormous variety in the way different countries have adopted this –
but not an explosion of use. It’s been endorsed by a surprising array of
organisations including the Red Cross – not marginal groups.
Criminalisation creates key harms. It pushes use into unhygienic high-risk
environments. It leads to people who use drugs ending up in prison. It’s unethical
from a public health perspective – you’re harming people you want to serve.
Criminalisation is intended to stigmatise use. It has led to discrimination
against people who use drugs and deters them from seeking help. It negatively
impacts life opportunity and access to housing and employment.
To not question the system is to allow harms to continue. It’s unethical. It
makes you complicit in the harms it creates.
Historically, drug policies have been framed in the criminal justice element.
It’s about reversing the balance so it’s predominantly health.
SECONDED BY: Rueben Ambler,
DATUS
I’m not in favour of drugs, but in favour of minimising their effects.
Decriminalisation is overdue in this country. In Portugal, the taxpayers’ money
has been spent on treatment. People sometimes produce statistics that show the
increase in drug use after decriminalisation – but this was already happening.
I hid my drug use from my family and friends, so I didn’t get the help I need-
ed. When I overdosed, my friends dumped me outside in the snow because they
were afraid of the police. It wouldn’t have happened with decriminalisation.
This debate was held at the RCGP primary care conference in Birmingham last
month. The motion was defeated by 70 per cent of the audience to 30 per cent.
DEBATE
DDN’s occasional column offering
a chance to hear opposing views
on vital issues
‘Now is not the
right time to
decriminalise drugs’