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MP suggests decriminalising hard drugs
10:53am Thursday 10th April 2008
Comments (81)Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner has called for hard drugs to be legalised.
The Labour MP spoke out after an investigation by The Argus lifted the lid on street dealing in Brighton and Hove.
Reporter Andy Whelan bought heroin from a man in one of Hove's main shopping streets. And it took him just 26 minutes to obtain the drug.
Dr Turner's comments come after details of yet another young victim of the city's heroin trade were revealed.
An inquest into the death of Tania Meires heard that heroin in Brighton was so pure that injecting it was like "playing Russian roulette every time".
Dr Turner said it was now time to decriminalise drug use and supply the substances over the counter in a regulated way.
In what is certain to cause a storm of controversy, the MP said: "The policy we have at the moment of criminalising drugs obviously isn't working.
"We need some fresh alternative thinking if we are to get a grip on the problem.
"I would rather we decriminalise drug use and supply people who are unfortunate enough to be drug addicts from our own pharmacies which we know to be safe."
From 2002 to 2005 Brighton and Hove was named the drugs-death capital of Britain by the International Centre for Drug Policy at the University of London. In 2006 it came second to Blackpool.
Mr Turner wants to see drugs prescribed to wipe out the multimillion- pound criminal trade in which dealers determine the quality of the substances.
He said: "I don't think there is one single magical solution but the current policy doesn't actually reduce the scale of the problem. It needs some quality control to get the bad drugs off the streets.
"We really need to focus heavily on the suppliers. I have never said this on the public record before because it is kind of contentious.
"People immediately will accuse me of being soft on drugs, which I'm not. It is a view I have reluctantly come to because the policies aren't working.
"I would like to emphasise this is a view that has been put forward by several senior policemen in the country."
Last night, a senior Sussex Police officer welcomed a renewed debate on drug laws.
Brighton and Hove city commander Chief Supt Paul Pearce said: "The use of controlled drugs is an issue that is important because it impacts adversely on so many areas of society. The story in The Argus yesterday about how easy it is to buy heroin in the city shows just how big an issue this is for Brighton and Hove.
"The police service seeks to encourage an open and honest debate on the use of controlled drugs and that debate must be informed by the harm caused not only to users, but also to others who become victims either directly or indirectly.
"It is worthy of the widest debate but it often seems that it is easier and more convenient to get sidetracked by details such as whether cannabis should be a Class B or C drug."
Last year North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom spoke openly about his desire to see drugs legalised.
He said the current policy was creating crime due to the massive illegal profits that can be made and was putting vulnerable people in danger.
He said: "I don't advocate anybody abusing their body with drugs but clearly some want to.
"What would be wrong with making heroin available on the state for people who wanted to abuse their bodies? What is wrong with that?"
Around the same time David Lepper, Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion, called for heroin addicts to be given the drug to stop them committing crime.
Home Office research has found that each heroin addict commits an average of 432 crimes a year and each addict's yearly crime spree costs an average £45,000.
He said: "If it was part of a carefully controlled scheme with carefully chosen clients then it would be good to try it to see if it does help to get people off drugs and help reduce crime."
Charity DrugScope said: "DrugScope fully supports the principle of removing drug users from the criminal justice system where appropriate and ensuring they receive effective and appropriate treatment."
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We do not accept that legalisation and regulation is now, or will be in the future, an acceptable response to the presence of drugs"
Your Say YourArgus
No, Way says...
12:03pm Thu 10 Apr 08
If they are legalised, they can be monitored and controlled. Also, be taxed to high-heaven which could lower a tax somewhere else in the system.
if the drugs are regulated, there would be less change for "bad cuts" and "super strains"...
It's a good idea and I've been saying it for YEARS
John, Cyberspace says...
12:07pm Thu 10 Apr 08
bobby bigballs wrote:The Taxpayer is paying already. For the cost of the police, courts, and prisons who deal with addicts and dealers. And there's the effect on the victims of crimes committed by addicts.
Another 'Nutty' labour idiot - he want to give drugs out FREE over the counter - who pays for it? THE GOOD OLD TAX PAYER AGAIN - tipical labour MP no wonder the country is in a mess - the elderly live in poverty while the druggies waste the day away out of their heads FOR FREE - very sensible!!
tobi, brighton says...
12:15pm Thu 10 Apr 08
No wrote:you have a valid point no way
The drugs SHOULD be legalised, but not for free! If they are legalised, they can be monitored and controlled. Also, be taxed to high-heaven which could lower a tax somewhere else in the system. if the drugs are regulated, there would be less change for "bad cuts" and "super strains"... It's a good idea and I've been saying it for YEARS
Mac, Peacehaven says...
12:17pm Thu 10 Apr 08
the addict would not need to steal and cheat to get their supply. Think across the counter at a chemist legally has to be better than some street corner.
Godfree, Brighton says...
12:27pm Thu 10 Apr 08
bobby bigballs wrote:Bobby, I know you obviously have a hard time understanding things, but the 'war on drugs' isn't working. Which would you prefer - junkies robbing people to pay dealers who then pass the money onto people traffickers and worse? Or a system of delivering drugs to those already addicted that stops the money getting into the hands of the criminals? I would have that that decision to be a no-brainer.
Another 'Nutty' labour idiot - he want to give drugs out FREE over the counter - who pays for it? THE GOOD OLD TAX PAYER AGAIN - tipical labour MP no wonder the country is in a mess - the elderly live in poverty while the druggies waste the day away out of their heads FOR FREE - very sensible!!
Roy Hills, Heathfield says...
12:30pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Confused, At Work says...
12:55pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Mac wrote:How would being able to buy hard drugs over the counter mean that addicts would not have to steal to pay for them?
If you leagalise all drugs you take it out of the back streets and away from scum bag dealers. the addict would not need to steal and cheat to get their supply. Think across the counter at a chemist legally has to be better than some street corner.
Andy, brighton says...
1:19pm Thu 10 Apr 08
b, Brighton says...
2:06pm Thu 10 Apr 08
No wrote:Another Nutty thought/Idea on top of Labour's Nutty thought/Idea. So mate, Lets Tax Drugs to "High-Heaven which could lower the tax somewhere else" Don't think so as crime will increase, more CCTV and Police. Surely the problem is NOT how much the cost of the drugs are BUT how do we control it.
The drugs SHOULD be legalised, but not for free!
If they are legalised, they can be monitored and controlled. Also, be taxed to high-heaven which could lower a tax somewhere else in the system.
if the drugs are regulated, there would be less change for "bad cuts" and "super strains"...
It's a good idea and I've been saying it for YEARS
Nick, Brighton says...
2:10pm Thu 10 Apr 08
For the hardcore right wingers who only give a monkeys about their precious council tax (as if you're the only people whay pay it) I think you should note that a hefty whack of it is already going to the war on drugs and fallout from it.
Mac, Peacehave says...
2:34pm Thu 10 Apr 08
String 'em up!, Brighton says...
2:45pm Thu 10 Apr 08
In the words of WS Gilbert "they'd none of them be missed" so put them on the list!
You're all wrong, Nuthouse says...
2:51pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Steve, Brighton says...
2:55pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Gordon Brown, London says...
2:56pm Thu 10 Apr 08
nevahwen, at my desk says...
3:09pm Thu 10 Apr 08
First, it would take the thrill out of doing something illegal.
Second, it would then be possible for illegal drugs to be on an equal footing with tobacco.
Third, it would makes the drugs cheaper and easier to obtain.
The above means a lot of public money would be saved in several ways.
The current contention is that smokers who suffer tobacco related illnesses should be denied NHS treatment. Following that stance to its logical conclusion in relation to illegal drugs (once legalised) then drug related NHS costs would be cut. Also, once the drugs were legalised there would be a saving of public funds spent on legal proceedings. Finally, making the drugs cheap means that people with an addictive nature would take more thus meeting their demise more quickly and reducing yet another burden on society.
Not bad all round Id say but then Im cynical and callous.
Finally, I believe this has been done in
Nevahwen, at my desk says...
3:11pm Thu 10 Apr 08
David Manchester, Manchester says...
3:25pm Thu 10 Apr 08
alex, serbia says...
3:32pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Its time we adapt the laws for todays reality, this is the only way to go.
m, says...
4:02pm Thu 10 Apr 08
garp, werving says...
4:20pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Godfree, Brighton says...
4:44pm Thu 10 Apr 08
You're all wrong wrote:Next time you reach for the keyboard, have a bit of a think first.
Hey if you legalize drugs this will mean easier money made for ploughing back into terrorism and easier ways of laundering money. This Labour fellow with the pompous double chin is a very clever fellow! Three cheers for New Labour (inadvertent sponsors of terrorism and money laundering!) Yay!
If the government supply the drugs, then the money will not be going to terrorists. They will be going to the poppy farmers in Afghanistan. This means that the money will be used by farmers and they won't have to rely on hand-outs or the offers of help from the Taleban. It adds more money to their economy as well, which should improve living standards and make it harder for terrorist organisations to recruit disgruntled locals.
As for money laundering - again, how is legalising it putting it into money-laundering? Where do you think the money is going after the current illegal dealers get it? I just thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster that people like you have no influence in society.
Little Jimmy, Brighton says...
7:34pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Lord Larry, Brighton says...
7:37pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Never a truer word spoken.
We are in this mess because the Police are not doing their job.
Or they maybe doing it but not giving it the priority so are chasing easy catches like speeding motorists.
Come on Sussex Police sort this out it really is easy to find these drug dealers please please please for the sake of all the youngsters out there arrest these scum.
Hickle Pickle, Worthing says...
7:40pm Thu 10 Apr 08
For these drug dealers its lucrative business in Brighton and no prob with the Police for some reason.
Mike, Brighton says...
7:46pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Who is setting the priority back at HQ ???
Drugs lead to many other crimes and the money gained feeds other crime it should be top of the list to tackle.
kipple, Worthing says...
7:50pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Sounds like everyone is giving up with all the talk of legalizing and giving the drugs free.
David Fez, Shoreham says...
9:18pm Thu 10 Apr 08
liz, brighton says...
11:09pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Lemmy, outta here! says...
1:32am Fri 11 Apr 08
liz wrote:Braindead, quite braindead.
what a load of rubbish, legalise them,so that more children can get hooked on them, so that more famiiies are ruined by them, Why is brighton and hove so scared to face the streets, go down western road and see these crazed people sitting in shop doorways ....We should hae zero tolerance for all druggies and pushers,
daniel, Selma, California says...
2:07am Fri 11 Apr 08
jason, america says...
2:48am Fri 11 Apr 08
lizing debate... drugs ARE easy for children to get now, drug dealers don't check ids... It would EASE the pain on families because prison doesn't have to be the only way out for their children/loved ones... More rehab, more help for someone... not a prison to get better connects and learn how to be a better criminal...
bill, duke st., WC1 says...
7:00am Fri 11 Apr 08
John B, says...
9:23am Fri 11 Apr 08
(Although the idea that extra pure heroin is "reducing" the addict population is quite appealing)
flange, Brighton k.t. says...
9:32am Fri 11 Apr 08
Adam, says...
12:05pm Fri 11 Apr 08
The policy's in the book could work...
Sensible From Brighton, Brighton says...
12:40pm Fri 11 Apr 08
tim, brighton says...
12:46pm Fri 11 Apr 08
P. Straight, Not over the edge says...
12:55pm Fri 11 Apr 08
ZERO TOLERANCE
Reality Check, says...
1:24pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Whilst I am not on the side of the dealers lets be clear on this...
The image of drug dealers you have is the big guns at the top, something akin to characters in Layer Cake or Lock Stock (to a lesser extent).
But with the law the way it is a college student at a party who simply passes a "spliff" is a dealer. Now before you shout "well thats still just as bad, they're still a dealer", if you want to lock up ALL dealers then you will have to lock up up to 30% of the country.
According to surveys around 33% of the UK have tried pot. If those 30% somuch as pass a spliff to a friend (and lets be honest, how many people trying it for the first time will smoke a whole one to themselves, most take 1 puff.Therefore if they pass itback to their friend,they are a dealer.
Also, to the guy who said "lock up the addicts for as long as it takes". Please be aware that ALCOHOL IS A DRUG TOO, so any of your friends who visit the pub too many times a week are gonna be locked up too.
I am not in favour of hard drugs, but legalising them WILL give control back to responsible authorities, rather than the dealers at the top of the drug pyramid. If you legalise heroin tomorrow it doesn't mean I'm going to rush out and buy some, Much like yourselves I would imagine.
If people could openly ask about drugs they would be safer too. Ecstacy for example has killed people because they were misinformed as much as them taking the drug.
Leah Betts, a famous case of a girl dying from ecstacy. However if you read the acual story she did not die of an overdose, she drowned. Dont worry I will explain that.
She,like many, had be warned that Ecstacy can be dangerous because it can dehydrate you, leaflets about drugs given out in colleges etc state this, along with a warning not to mix alcohol and Ecsacy.
Because of this she drank too much water to compensate, her body couldn't deal with it, so efectively she drowned.
Now to find this information out you hav to look around for the full facts. This information, which, is potentially life saving, is hidden deeper than needs be because drugs are illegal and no mainstrea media outlet wants to be the one to come out in support of drugs first or indeed at all.
Also if you legalise drugs then when someone buys drugs in powder form they can be sure it is not something far more dangerous. The high prices of street drugs mean that a dealer can make a lot more money by cutting the drugs with far cheaper powders to increase their profit.
If drugs are legalised it brings down the prices and ensures a "clean" supply.
Then there are the savings in prison costs, court costs, nd it leavs the police some time to deal with crimes that deserve attention.
Robberies, murders, money launderers, terrorists, tax evaders(for those who only seem to reognise something with a £ symbol attached).
I want dealers off the streets as much as anyone else, legalizing it is the cheapest, safest, and most effective way.
If you don't think it will work. They recently celebrated 75 years without the alcohol prohibition in the US. Alcohol is a drug too. Legalizing it worked for them. And whilst not actually legal in Amsterdam, Cannabis use is overlooked in designated areas (coffee shops and hotel rooms) because it allows the police to keep watch on the dealers, and it ensures a safer supply chain with no "artificial additives".
Dennis, Dallas Texas says...
2:40pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Alex, Preston Park says...
3:01pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Richard Vallée, Montreal, Canada says...
3:40pm Fri 11 Apr 08
No argument about drug policy, especially prohibition, can change the fact that criminalizing drugs is as direct a source of financing to organized crime as a full-fledged subsidy program.
Removing the ~$500 billion a year handed to organized crime as a consequence of this ridiculous, and ineffective, policy would likely be one of the most dramatically beneficial change in reducing crime around the world.
The solution to a problem should never be worse than the problem itself, no matter how bad the problem is.
In this case the solution is orders of magnitude worse than the problem would be, even if left by itself.
Andy, Ireland says...
3:43pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Anon, Brighton says...
4:23pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Dr's have been able to prescribe Heroin in Brighton for sometime now.
Also, the police do tend to go for the easy targets. The pot heads are the easiest arrests. They tend to come in quietly, and if actually convicted, more likely for cannabis posses than for Harder drugs, the prison system would rather have 'Pot heads' as they get on with prison work, and don't cause grief.
Where as Harder drug users tend to be treated more leniency. Cost more to prison and are often more difficult to lookafter.
Anyone that thinks the current circumstances will change, is as dillusional as a crack head in the middle of a psychosis.
Brian, BC, Canada says...
6:47pm Fri 11 Apr 08
bobby bigballs wrote:Who pays when an addict commits a crime? Oh right, the taxpayer. Who pays when an addict ends up in prison? Oh right, the taxpayer. Who pays when the addict ends up in the hospital? Need I tell you?
Another \'Nutty\' labour idiot - he want to give drugs out FREE over the counter - who pays for it? THE GOOD OLD TAX PAYER AGAIN - tipical labour MP no wonder the country is in a mess - the elderly live in poverty while the druggies waste the day away out of their heads FOR FREE - very sensible!!
Legalization is, IMHO, the only solution that is going to work. We need to stop legislating what people can and can't do with their own bodies and start helping those who screw themselves up. Drug addicts != criminals.
travis Slack, says...
8:44pm Fri 11 Apr 08
hitler called, he wants is personality back.
whether you legalize drugs are not, people are going to buy them.
case a: we dont legalise drugs. people buy them, money goes to god knows where probably funding terrorists, mobs, whatever.
case b: we legalize. people buy them, money goes to the government which in turn is spent on public services.
it does not take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
kball, amerika says...
9:34pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Maybe we could have some peace for once.
travis, says...
12:42am Sat 12 Apr 08
kball wrote:how can you say you want to kill people and then go on in the next sentence to say you want peace.
I wish every self-righteous, judgemental, neocon douchebag would be taken out and shot. Maybe we could have some peace for once.
Biloxi, US says...
1:05am Sat 12 Apr 08
So in essence it is a humanitarian issue.
Health and money are necessities.
The problem is not that difficult to solve. Take away the money from those who use it to addict other humans who are physically (health issues) weaker/less strong.
Predators are always looking for victims and victims need predators.
Create a way in which the victim has to take responsibility for the addiction - let them go into a center and have as much of the drug of choice and when the decision is made to leave, then no more drugs.
Now, with centers like these that take care of our humanitarian issue of drug addiction that is a big money item from, such as the Bush family who have been involved with the Royal family of the UK since the 1800s, pushing illegal drugs.
Gosh maybe it's time to take control of the shadow government and not allow it to destroy humanity.
Now that's an intelligent potential indeed.
And wow, the multi-trillion dollar business of illegal drugs could be recycled back to humanity, rather than to in-bred idiots.
Biloxi, US says...
2:13am Sat 12 Apr 08
The addict who chooses to enter the Health Center (unlike a prison), is not a victim.
This simply means that the addict must pay for his/her own drugs.
Accomplished by doing community service.
The addict must be visible in contributing back to the community and demonstrating the addiction is being dealt with, by work which repays our whole humanity.
Addicts are self - entitled narcissists.
Thus for the addict to pay back the community for physical, mental, and emotional imbalance can hopefully create a new bond or reconnect the addict to the tap root gene of altruism, and therefore heal.
An asset to the world, wisdom for conquering a multi-faceted dis-ease.
This is true for those who prey upon the weaker of our specie, they are suffering from the disease/s of being sociopaths and psychopaths.
We call this the 21st Century. Perhaps it's time intelligence prevails which is a simple solution to a highly complex problem.
Recycle the illegal drug money by way of Health Centers back into our whole humanity, and not to the predators who profit on the dis-ease/s of weaknesses.
The predators can go into the Health Centers, too.
I propose criminal predatory humans (illegal drug peddlers) are addicted to pharmaceutical poisons as well as other forms of varying poisonous toxins.
Peter, Chile says...
7:14am Sat 12 Apr 08
bobby bigballs wrote:Heroin is one of the cheapest drugs on the market-- were it to be available legally.
Another 'Nutty' labour idiot - he want to give drugs out FREE over the counter - who pays for it? THE GOOD OLD TAX PAYER AGAIN - tipical labour MP no wonder the country is in a mess - the elderly live in poverty while the druggies waste the day away out of their heads FOR FREE - very sensible!!
Free heroin, at a cost of pennies, replaces the significantly more expensive burglary, shoplifting and assault.
Mark, Eastbourne says...
7:44am Sat 12 Apr 08
Most of the trouble associated with drugs is actually caused by prohibition +itself+ rather than the drugs.
Just as alcohol prohibition failed in America, so drug prohibition has failed here. Now it's time to move on.
clarence, montana, usa says...
8:03am Sat 12 Apr 08
Ollie, Brighton says...
10:20am Sat 12 Apr 08
w-away-the-key"-nutt
ers react!
sevvy, Brighton says...
12:29pm Sat 12 Apr 08
People didn't stop drinking alcohol during the prohibition era in the USA. All it did was to make the mafia extremely rich. The sam thing is happening now with drugs. Criminals are getting rich by dealing them.
If hard and so called 'soft' drugs were available through government controlled outlets at a reasonable price, firstly it would cut organised crime out of the loop, secondly it would reduce petty crime by a huge percentage, and thirdly it would allow addicts to have an uncontaminated supply - resulting in less fatalities.
I don't believe this should be 'free' anymore than a bottle of whisky should be free. If you want to get 'out of it' whatever your poison is - you should pay for it yourself.
Hand in hand with this approach, there would have to be much harsher penalties for dealers, and for those who choose to use these dealers instead of the government outlets.
Drug taking is here to stay - in fact it never went away. It's time this government graped the nettle and dealt with the problem in a realistic and sensible manner.
bobby bigballs, Brighton says...
11:56am Thu 10 Apr 08