Pubdate: Tue, 19 Aug 2008
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Ian Oliver
Note: Dr Ian Oliver is a former Chief Constable of Grampian Police 
and the author of 'Drug Affliction'
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALISING DRUGS WOULD ONLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE

Recently, A great deal of media attention has been focused on a call 
for the legalisation of drugs by a former civil servant who was 
responsible for the Cabinet's anti-drug unit. In The Independent last 
week, Julian Critchley said that legalisation would be "less harmful 
than the current strategy" and that an "overwhelming majority of 
professionals in the field" agree with that view.

Now he has become a teacher, his dangerously naive views appear to be 
more harmful than an inadequate UK drug policy, and he must associate 
with a limited group of professionals if his assertion is not gross 
exaggeration. The majority of people in the UK do not wish to see 
drugs legalised, and only 6 per cent of the global population between 
the ages of 15-64 use drugs; this is hardly justification for legalisation.

The UK has the highest rate of drug misuse in Europe and the abuse of 
illicit drugs is a major social problem, not least because of the 
public health implications. Aids/HIV and other blood-borne diseases 
are global pandemics and there is a huge ignorance in the UK about 
these, and sexually transmitted infections, which are also linked 
with drug abuse. The legalisation of drugs would lead inevitably to a 
greater number of addictions, an increased burden on the health and 
social services, and there would be no compensating diminution in 
criminal justice costs as, contrary to the view held by legalisers, 
crime would not be eliminated or reduced.

Perhaps it is not widely known that there is a global movement to 
overturn the United Nations Conventions and secure the legalisation 
of all drugs driven by people who see huge profits to be had from 
marketing another addictive substance. Research has demonstrated that 
the dependency rate for "legal" drugs among those who chose to use 
them would be around 50 per cent, the same as tobacco, which is why 
major companies are turning to developing countries in order to 
encourage smoking.

Recently, a TV programme discussed the issue, and several members of 
the public phoned in their views, most of which were responsibly 
opposed to the misuse of drugs. However, it was alarming to hear 
several people say that they thought that legalising drugs would be 
the most effective way of dealing with the problem. All of these good 
people believed that such action would defeat the traffickers, take 
the profit out of the drug trade and solve the drug problem 
completely. There was no consideration given to the fact that there 
is a thriving black market in the legal drugs of alcohol and tobacco, 
and no awareness of the huge administrative burden that would be 
created by setting up a government department to tax and administer 
drugs if legalisation had occurred. There was no awareness of the 
devious ways in which drug traffickers would circumvent the 
legislation and no thought given to the huge increase in 
addiction/dependency that would automatically follow such an 
ill-advised move, with the tremendous damage that would be visited on 
the health services in perpetuity. The tax demands would rocket as a 
consequence.

It is always asserted that legalisation would take the profit out of 
drug trafficking and would result in a huge drop in crime but, short 
of the Government distributing free drugs, those who commit crime now 
to obtain their drugs would continue to do so if they became legal.

It is seldom made clear which drugs the legalisers are referring to 
and to whom they should become available. Is it the position that 
they wish to legalise "crack" and will all people, regardless of age 
and mental condition, be able to buy them?The cumulative effects of 
prohibition and interdiction, combined with education and treatment 
during 100 years of International Drug Control, have had a 
significant impact in stemming the drug problem. Legalisation would 
be likely to convince people that any legal activity cannot be very 
harmful, increase the availability of drugs, increase the harmful 
consequences associated with drugs and remove the social sanctions 
normally supported by the legal system.

All drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, can 
be dangerous if they are taken without attention to appropriate 
medical advice. Instead of calling for legalisation, it would be far 
more sensible, as Nick Harding suggested in his article about 
cannabis use in yesterday's Independent, to seek improved policies. 
The compassionate and sensible approach should be that we do 
everything possible to reduce addiction and drug abuse, not encourage it.
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