Drug abuse should not be treated like a crime and control of drugs policy should be handed to the Department of Health, says a Parliamentary group.
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform wants a much more liberalised drugs strategy.
There have been a number of recent stories hitting the headlines to promote the decriminalisation of drugs.
Addiction
Chair of the APPG Baroness Meacher co-wrote in a letter to The Times, “addiction is a health problem not a crime”.
The letter said: “It is therefore illogical for the Home Office to be the lead department for drug policy.”
It also said alcohol and tobacco are “far more dangerous” than most illicit drugs.
Commission
The group want the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to be replaced by a commission which is independent of politicians.
They say these changes would “underline the fact that addiction is a health issue and would help to clarify the reality that alcohol and tobacco are far more dangerous than most illicit drugs.”
The letter added: “Drug policy could then be debated and reformed with improved public understanding.”
Stunt
A recent stunt held in London’s Hyde Park saw hundreds of people smoking cannabis openly in a push to legalise the drug.
Only two arrests were made by Police, and fourteen warnings were given.