The Government was facing a revolt last night over the sacking of its drugs adviser. Two members of the drugs advisory council have already quit in protest after chairman Prof David Nutt was fired. And in a leaked letter other scientists say they must now ask if they can continue in "good conscience". The letter said the remaining 28 members have "serious concerns" about Professor Nutt's dismissal. It also said: "For some members these matters are of such seriousness as to raise the question whether they can, in good conscience, continue on the council." [continues 61 words]
Police should turn a blind eye to drug dealers if they want to stamp out street crime, a controversial report says. Locking them up does no good and could even lead to violence as new villains fight it out to fill the gaps, experts warned in a report yesterday. Instead, they said, police should allow some dealers to ply their trade - and merely ask them to move away from residential neighbourhoods. The UK Drugs Policy Commission's paper suggested crime-busting crackdowns can be counter-productive. [continues 164 words]
Fury Over Class a Pill Claim One of Britain's top policemen sparked a furious row yesterday when he claimed Ecstasy was safer than aspirin. Richard Brunstrom, the controversial Chief Constable of North Wales, said there was "scaremongering" about deaths and the side-effects associated with the dance drug. He said: "Ecstasy is a remarkably safe substance, far safer than aspirin. It's far less dangerous than tobacco or alcohol which are freely available." This contradicts Government warnings about the Class A drug, which has been blamed for more than 200 deaths since 1996. [continues 512 words]
TONY Blair's war on drugs is a waste of money and effort that does more harm than good, says a high-powered study. The RSA Commission insists booze and fags should be included in a new law which must focus on the harm all intoxicants do - legal or illegal - - rather than the crimes being committed. It claims the Government is pouring cash down the drain trying to stop drugs flooding into Britain and says the money could pay for better treatment for addicts. [continues 314 words]
Scheme Cuts Use RANDOM drug testing could soon be carried out on schoolchildren. Headteachers across England and Wales are being asked to bring in the scheme after trials saw a drop in drug use. It is believed the results can uncover early signs children are getting hooked. And experts say random tests encourage youngsters to turn down drugs outside school if they could be checked the next day. Peter Walker, an ex-headteacher and government consultant for the project, said: "It doesn't cause any harm, a child still has a right to say no, indeed so does a parent. [continues 94 words]
Scientists Say Smoking Cannabis DOESN'T Lead To Taking Harder Drugs CLAIMS that cannabis use leads to harder drugs were yesterday dismissed as nonsense. A report to MPs said most scientists rejected the idea that smoking dope encouraged people to try out Class A drugs like heroin and cocaine. It said: "The gateway theory that the use of drugs like cannabis leads on to the use of harder drugs has little evidence to support it despite copious research." The report to the Commons Science Committee also questioned the whole system used to classify illegal drugs. [continues 330 words]
The Bad News On Drugs That No10 Tried To Bury THE shocking study shows how little has been achieved in the war on drugs. Only 20 per cent of illegal substances are seized - and it would take a four-fold increase to have a serious impact on the UKP4billion of narcotics flowing into the country each year. Figures show profit margins for major heroin importers outstrip luxury goods firms such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Afghan heroin traffickers can make up to UKP2,500 profit from selling 1kg of the drug. And the report reveals crack cocaine addicts spend UKP525 a week to feed their habit. [continues 175 words]
One in three pupils 'will fail drug tests'... Fears that truancy will rocket -Teachers 'at risk of legal action'... ONE-in-three children will be busted if Tony Blair introduces random drug tests into schools, experts warned last night. Truancy will soar as drug-using pupils try to avoid compulsory urine tests, said pressure groups and unions. And teachers will face increased risks of being sued if they force children into taking police-style dope tests. Mr Blair unveiled plans for random drug tests in schools in a Sunday newspaper interview. He said: "If heads believe they have a problem in their school, then they should be able to do random drug testing. [continues 449 words]
Blunkett Hits Back As UN Blasts His Move To Downgrade Cannabis David Blunkett hit back at critics last night after they accused him of misleading youngsters with his new measures on cannabis. A UN report claims the Home Secretary's decision to reclassify cannabis as a Class C drug could lead to it becoming as widely used as tobacco. Hamid Ghodse, of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), said: "Youngsters are confused. On one hand, you tell them not to use ecstasy because it is dangerous. On the other, you're not doing anything about cannabis." [continues 246 words]
Dope Law Shake-Up Mean Users Can Smoke In Peace A MASSIVE change in the cannabis laws was unveiled by the Government last night. Dope is to be reclassified as a Class C drug - the lowest category of illegal substances. It will mean people caught in possession of small amounts cannot be arrested. The change was being seen as the most significant relaxation of drug laws in 30 years. Ministers are also to recommend cannabis products are licensed as medicines. And doctors will get new guidance to allow heroin to be given out on prescription to undermine the illegal market in hard drugs. [continues 256 words]
The British Tory party yesterday retreated from their hardline zero-tolerance policy on drugs with party leader William Hague announcing the proposals would be sent back for further consultation. Less than a week after toasting shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe when she announced plans for pounds 100 fines for anyone caught with the smallest amount of cannabis, Mr Hague acknowledged there were ``concerns'' about the policy. He said: ``The proposals we have made are on the table but they need further consultation, discussion and debate.'' [continues 53 words]