Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2014
Source: Daily Express (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Northern and Shell Media Publications
Contact:  http://www.express.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/145
Author: Owen Bennett
Page: 28

CAMERON SLAPS DOWN CLEGG OVER CALLS TO RELAX THE DRUG LAWS

DAVID Cameron ruled out relaxing Britain's drug laws yesterday, 
despite Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Tory MPs calling for a review.

The Prime Minister said the current approach was working and 
decriminalising "recreational" drugs use would send out the wrong 
message to the nation's children.

Mr Clegg blasted the current policy as "totally misplaced, outdated 
and backward" and called on the Prime Minister to "have some courage" 
and accept that the war on drugs is failing.

Punishments

The Deputy Prime Minister spoke after a Home Office report published 
yesterday found no evidence that strict punishments for drug takers 
led to a reduction in the number taking illegal narcotics.

Senior Tory MPs, including former ministers, also urged a fresh look 
at the issue.

But Mr Cameron said: "The evidence is, what we are doing is working. 
I don't believe in decriminalising drugs that are illegal today.

"I'm a parent with three children. I don't want to send out a message 
that somehow taking these drugs is OK."

Mr Cameron added that the Government also needed tougher powers to 
combat the rise of legal highs, which can be fatal.

Mr Clegg said: "I think the Conservatives are just sticking their 
head in the sand. I think they're wrong. think it's so obvious we 
need to take a smarter approach, where we are smart and compassionate 
towards the addicts who need treatment but much tougher towards the 
Mr Bigs and the pushers, who should be behind bars."

During a debate on drug laws in the Commons yesterday, former Tory 
justice minister Crispin Blunt railed against Mr Cameron's shifting 
views on drug laws.

Gangs

As a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee in 2002, before he 
was Tory leader, Mr Cameron said it was "baffling" the then- Labour 
Government had ruled out the decriminalisation of cannabis.

Former Tory Cabinet minister Peter Lilley backed legalising cannabis. 
He said: "It is because the sale of cannabis is illegal that we drive 
soft drugs users into the arms of hard drugs pushers.

"They can only obtain it from criminal gangs who will want them to 
upgrade to drugs which are more addictive."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom