Liberal Democrats drug policy

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

Drugs

The Policy in Brief

The punitive approach to drug users that we have followed for decades has not been
successful. Drug use is higher than ever and our prisons are full to bursting with drug
addicts. It is time to stop criminalising drug users and start focusing on ending their
addiction through medical treatment. The Liberal Democrats will place policy making in
the drugs field on a much firmer evidence-based footing. This will involve the reform of
excessive and counterproductive criminal penalties and the promotion of a more
effective policy to reduce drug dependency and its adverse consequences. We will also
break the links between cannabis use and organised crime and release police resources
for higher priority tasks.

Why is it Necessary

The current law is not working. It neither effectively deters people from drug use nor
ensures effective education and treatment. The UK has one of the most punitive
approaches in Europe, yet according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and
Drug Abuse the UK has one of the highest levels of drug use in Europe.

1 In 2006/07, 10% of adults (age 16-59) in England and Wales had used one or more
illegal drug in the past year, and 5.9% in the last month.

2 In 2006/07, 24.1% of 16-24 year olds said they had used an illegal drug in the last
year. 8.3 % reported ‘frequent use’.

3 In 2007, 17% of 11-15 year olds in England say they have used illegal drugs in the
last year, 10% in the last month.

4 We need to view drug misuse more as a public health issue and focus overstretched
criminal justice resources on the dealers and organised criminals. The law has to be
credible. The current classification system needs to be changed to ensure it is more
credible.

We believe treatment and prevention should be the priority for individuals who use
drugs. But the full force of the criminal law should be directed at the thugs and pushers
who run the illegal drugs trade. Our overstretched police, courts and prisons should be
focusing their efforts on these organised criminals. That is why we are proposing tough
new measures to combat them, including a new offence of ‘dealing’ to target those
supplying illegal drugs over long periods of time, making it easier to confiscate their
assets, and allowing the selling of drugs near children to be an aggravating factor in
sentencing.

Policy Detail

Place policy making in the drugs field on a much firmer evidence-based footing by:
Re-establishing the existing Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs as a standing
Drugs Commission with a wider range of expertise, greater independence from the
Government, and a remit to look at social effects and abuse of legal drugs
including alcohol, tobacco and solvents as well as currently illegal drugs.
Giving the Drugs Commission the task of advising the Government on appropriate
scheduling of drugs and policy responses on a continuous basis.
Requiring the Drugs Commission to conduct a major audit of the extent and social
and economic costs of the drugs problem in the UK and the effectiveness of
policies to tackle it.
Seeking to initiate a European level review of the drugs problem and the range of
policy responses with a view to securing renegotiation of UN Conventions on Drug
Trafficking.

Break the links between cannabis use and organised crime and release police
resources for higher priority tasks by:
Retaining the classification of cannabis as a Class C drug, in line with the
recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which
the Government ignored.
Adopting a policy of not prosecuting possession for own use, social supply to
adults or cultivation of cannabis plants for own use.
Repealing Sections 8 (c) and (d) of the Misuse of Drugs Act so that it is no longer a
crime for the occupier or manager of premises to permit someone to use cannabis
on those premises.
Permitting medical use of cannabis derivatives, subject to appropriate
pharmaceutical controls and the successful conclusion of current clinical trials.
In the longer term, seeking to put the supply of cannabis on a legal, regulated
basis, subject to securing necessary renegotiation of the UN Conventions. The
Global Cannabis Commission report of September 2008, published as part of the
2009 UN drug policy review supports a policy of regulated availability to minimise
the harms associated with cannabis abuse, adding that much of this harm is a
result of prohibition itself.
Reform excessive and counterproductive criminal penalties by:
Ending the use of imprisonment for possession for own use of illegal drugs of any
class.

Re-classifying ecstasy from Class A to Class B, but not re-classifying it further unless
recommended by the Drugs Commission subject to evidence on long-term health
effects. The ACMD is currently undertaking a review of ecstasy’s Class A status.
Amending sections 8 (a) and (b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act as recommended by
Runciman so that occupiers or managers of premises only commit a crime if they
knowingly and wilfully permit the supply or production of illegal drugs on those
premises.

Promote a more effective policy to reduce drug dependency and its adverse
consequences by:
Developing specialist heroin treatment clinics where heroin or heroin substitutes
can be administered under controlled conditions, with other medical treatment
and testing, and counselling and withdrawal programmes available, with the longterm
aim of making such services widely available.
Allowing GPs to prescribe short term or emergency maintenance doses of
addictive drugs, particularly diamorphine hydrochloride (heroin), to remove the
dependence of any new or existing addicts on criminal suppliers.
Repealing section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act to allow harm minimisation
programmes to distribute drug paraphernalia such as safe tourniquets, as
recommended by Runciman.
Assessing other alternatives to criminal sanctions such as Drug Treatment and
Testing Orders (DTTOs) and Drug Abstinence Orders (DAOs) and if suitable,
extending their use. DTTOs are used for offenders who have drug misuse issues
that require treatment. It requires compliance by the offender, who receives
supervised treatment and regular testing. DAOs are aimed at low level offenders,
with low level drug use, who are not assessed as being suitable for treatment.
Re-allocating resources towards making treatment and rehabilitation facilities and
programmes more generally available.

Crack down on illegal drug trafficking and drug affected driving by:
Introducing a new offence of ‘dealing’ as recommended by Runciman to allow
more effective action against those proved to be supplying illegal drugs over long
periods of time.
Allowing the selling of drugs near schools, psychiatric facilities and other sensitive
locations to be an aggravating factor in sentencing, as recommended by
Runciman.
Launching a public information campaign on the dangers of drug-affected driving,
and encouraging the police to carry out roadside sobriety testing of suspected
unfit drivers when appropriate.

Costs/Savings:
Sending just 1 in 10 drug users to residential rehab instead of prison
would save £40m a year.

You want change? You know who to vote for

[spidergawd]

We will also
break the links between cannabis use and organised crime

Only one way to do that.

Thanx sir n this seems like somebody has a policy, quite promising news I think.

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

We will also
break the links between cannabis use and organised crime

Only one way to do that.

Thanx sir n this seems like somebody has a policy, quite promising news I think.

Indeed, the lib dems are doing ok at the moment. They have control of Liverpool, look to be making moves in parts of Cumbria, the only party to take control of Burnley from the British Nazi Party ( BNP ) The thing is, if we want any progress like America, we have to get these guys in or at least a larger majority than they are. Spread the word guys and get motivated to do something, every votes does count. The torris are probably going to be back this time around. Not good news for us smokers, we need a Lib Dem presence we really do.

[spidergawd]

Sorry I'm lazy I should check their website, is this the adopted policy that they will go into the election with, because I would feel comfortable voting for them at a local and national level. They aint going to win, but I think if they are in government with the Tories, well who knows? A morning stroll down the Bush for a coffee and a toke might be a distinct prospect in my old age.

I Hope

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

Sorry I'm lazy I should check their website, is this the adopted policy that they will go into the election with, because I would feel comfortable voting for them at a local and national level. They aint going to win, but I think if they are in government with the Tories, well who knows? A morning stroll down the Bush for a coffee and a toke might be a distinct prospect in my old age.

I Hope

Their policy they will bring with them to election. They also are really into the idea of Medical usage, however they're not offically published this yet. They are atm concentrating on the right to get stoned, period, it seems.

[spidergawd]

Crickey I'm getting excited, and they talk English, I understood it first reading.

Break the links between cannabis use and organised crime and release police
resources for higher priority tasks by:
Retaining the classification of cannabis as a Class C drug, in line with the
recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which
the Government ignored.
Adopting a policy of not prosecuting possession for own use, social supply to
adults or cultivation of cannabis plants for own use.
Repealing Sections 8 (c) and (d) of the Misuse of Drugs Act so that it is no longer a
crime for the occupier or manager of premises to permit someone to use cannabis
on those premises.
Permitting medical use of cannabis derivatives, subject to appropriate
pharmaceutical controls and the successful conclusion of current clinical trials.
In the longer term, seeking to put the supply of cannabis on a legal, regulated
basis, subject to securing necessary renegotiation of the UN Conventions. The
Global Cannabis Commission report of September 2008, published as part of the
2009 UN drug policy review supports a policy of regulated availability to minimise
the harms associated with cannabis abuse, adding that much of this harm is a
result of prohibition itself

Nick Clegg, the British Obama? well maybe not. I think I shall take a long walk to calm down now

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

I quite like Clegg, seems like a genuine guy. But i think thats bad from him in the world of politics, purely because he dosnt do as much bullshit PR as the others do.

I think people need to get the message out, they need support. I honestly think this is the party for sensible people and stoners alike.

[spidergawd]

Yes mate I had their MP Edward Davey round my work place when he had the transport brief, expanding his understanding of Community based local transport solutions and I didn't think my time was wasted. He is their foreign office shadow now. And yes, if I get committed I'm out there mate spreading the word.

There will only ever be one Mellow Yellow though, what ever changes.

And maybe the PR bullshit is passed its sell by date.

[echc1]

hmmm there was still a get out clause in there for them..."subject to renegotiation of UN conventions"....i'll trust them when i see coffeeshops opening up in my town.....its just i cannot bring myself to trust any politicians these days...or priests...or cops....

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

hmmm there was still a get out clause in there for them..."subject to renegotiation of UN conventions"....i'll trust them when i see coffeeshops opening up in my town.....its just i cannot bring myself to trust any politicians these days...or priests...or cops....

Then you cant complain about the lack of coffeeshops in your town

[Kingdoc]

Great find niall,They would have my vote if they were serious about that.

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

Great find niall,They would have my vote if they were serious about that.

Thats the big question for me.

From talking to local M.P's, he ( Time Farron ) was the only one who answered my question properly without a look of embrassment. I think they're worth the vote, they are afterall the only ones talking like this of the three main parties.

[doobydave]

Quality thread.

Though I'm not too sure that the Libs have a defined policy about anything.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a dig a the Libs (they are my party of choice), but I believe that their policies are democratically selected by LibDem members and, as such, are difficult to pin down.

I will be very disappointed to see the Libs fail to take advantage of the shoddy politics we've been subjected to over the years. Blair and his cohorts have effectively destroyed 'old' Labour and anybody expecting different policies from the Tories is sadly mistaken.

Did those excerpts come from DemLibs website?

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

Quality thread.

Though I'm not too sure that the Libs have a defined policy about anything.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a dig a the Libs (they are my party of choice), but I believe that their policies are democratically selected by LibDem members and, as such, are difficult to pin down.

I will be very disappointed to see the Libs fail to take advantage of the shoddy politics we've been subjected to over the years. Blair and his cohorts have effectively destroyed 'old' Labour and anybody expecting different policies from the Tories is sadly mistaken.

Did those excerpts come from DemLibs website?

Possibly from a website, but they came to me from a e-mail from my local M.P. I asked the question at a pretty decent sized talk involing alot of Lib Dem supporters, council leaders and like 4 ( ? ) M.P's and all seemed to be in agreement with him. However, i was a little stoned at this point so the contribution from others i cant remember word for word, but in essence they agreed with what was said and agreed the party line. Supporters seemed pretty happy too ( considering the collective age of supporters there was 109 it is pretty impressive.)

[Kingdoc]

Great find niall,They would have my vote if they were serious about that.

Thats the big question for me.

From talking to local M.P's, he ( Time Farron ) was the only one who answered my question properly without a look of embrassment. I think they're worth the vote, they are afterall the only ones talking like this of the three main parties.

They cant be any worse than the tories thats for sure.