Pubdate: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 Source: Scotsman (UK) Copyright: 2006 The Scotsman Publications Ltd Contact: http://members.scotsman.com/contact.cfm Website: http://www.scotsman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406 CALL TO DECRIMINALISE DRUGS SENIOR Liberal Democrats yesterday demanded the party's leadership consider decriminalising all illegal drugs. Nick Clegg, the home affairs spokesman, was urged to examine the case for government-controlled drug outlets in the face of the failure of the war on narcotics. Chris Davies, one of the party's senior MEPs and an outspoken campaigner for decriminalising drugs, told a fringe meeting of party members in Brighton: " I hope Nick Clegg will explore this issue again. I know from brief talks with him he is mindful to do so, but I know he is mindful of giving ammunition to his opposition." Mr Davies likened the issue of the war on drugs to the Emperor's new clothes. "We keep saying 'war on drugs' year in year out, but it achieves nothing," he said. "It's time to stop pointing and laughing at this piece of nonsense." Baroness Walmsley, the Liberal Democrats' education spokeswoman in the Lords, said: "I think the issue is a no-brainer. We have got to go along this direction." She said such a policy would contribute to harm reduction, tackle gun culture, save police time and reduce drug-related crime. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine