Rochdale MEP hosts debate on drugs legalisation

Date published: 25/09/2006

A senior police representative has told local Liberal Democrats that the 'war' on drugs is a losing battle.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by Rochdale Euro-MP Chris Davies, Inspector Jim Duffy, Chairman of Strathclyde Police Federation, argued that prohibitionist policies are failing and that consideration should instead be given to licensing and regulating the sale of illegal drugs.

Mr Duffy said: "The police are not winning the war against illegal drugs. We are fighting hard, becoming smarter and sharper; but so are those we fight against.  If the current rules of engagement do not change then we are destined to continue to fail."

The representative of officers in Britain's second largest police force claims that criminals would lose control of the market if a licensing regime were established.

He said:  "Lives could be saved if addicts purchasing regulated drugs could be sure of their strength and purity."

Mr Duffy was invited to speak at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton last week by Euro-MP Chris Davies, a leading campaigner on drug policy reform. 

The Liberal Democrat MEP, who acquired a criminal conviction for cannabis possession following a political protest, has welcomed police support for a fresh approach to tackling drugs.

Mr Davies points out that more than 50% of burglaries in Britain are attributed to drug use, and the country has the highest rate of drug-assisted deaths in Europe.

He said:  "By breaking the link with criminals and bringing drugs under licensed control we can save lives and reduce harm to the rest of society."