AN OLDHAM Euro MP was appearing before magistrates today charged with possession of cannabis. Liberal Democrat Chris Davies, who lives in Greenfield, denies the charge and has elected trial by jury. He was appearing before Stockport magistrates this morning for a committal hearing. Mr Davies was joined by fellow MEP Marco Cappato, of Italy's Radical Party, who was arrested when he turned up to support Mr Davies in December, allegedly clutching a small amount of the drug. He gave himself in to police at Stockport, and spent a night behind bars until magistrates granted him bail. [continues 229 words]
POLICE will no longer automatically be called to incidents where drug users have overdosed. Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) has changed its policy in a move designed to encourage drug users to ring 999 when someone is in trouble. Ambulance chiefs believe that many drug users and their friends are discouraged from calling for help because they fear penalties if the police become involved. It is a situation that may be costing lives. In the past, GMAS says many users have even been stripped of all identification and left alone before the ambulance arrives. Time is obviously being lost, as is helpful information. [continues 202 words]
AN OLDHAM MEP will hand himself in to the police on Saturday to be arrested for possession of a small amount of cannabis resin. Chris Davies, who lives in Greenfield, will go to Stockport police station with a tiny amount of the substance. He is taking the action in support of cannabis campaigner Colin Davies. The Liberal Democrat MEP will ask to be arrested, before a march in Stockport in support of the campaigner who is currently in Strangeways Prison on remand awaiting trial on drugs offences. [continues 398 words]
Cannabis should be legalised for victims of cancer and multiple sclerosis. This is the belief of Oldham Euro MP Chris Davies who has accused Jack Straw on cruelty towards sufferers. The Liberal Democrat claims that the Home Secretary can not go on refusing to acknowledge the benefits that seriously ill people can gain from using the drug for pain relief. He spoke out after a Manchester father of three was prosecuted for possession of cannabis. The defendant is incurably ill with multiple sclerosis and claims to take the drug for relief of the symptoms. [continues 158 words]