The answer to Britain’s drug problem is tougher enforcement, according to a survey of voters in marginal constituencies.
A ComRes poll, commissioned by The Christian Institute, found that 56 per cent think the right approach is to enforce the current law, while fewer than one in four (24 per cent) support a more liberal stance.
These results have been published following the release of a new Home Office drugs report, which the Liberal Democrats are using as evidence in support of decriminalisation.
Incredibly dangerous
But Downing Street responded saying that a radical change in drugs policy would “send an incredibly dangerous message to young people”.
The ComRes poll showed that of those intending to vote Liberal Democrat, nearly two thirds (62 per cent) disagree with a more liberal approach to drugs.
And just ten per cent of voters in marginal constituencies would be more likely to back a political party that wanted to decriminalise drugs, while the majority (53 per cent) are less likely to.
Disagreed
The poll questioned 1,000 British adults living in the 40 most marginal constituencies where Conservative and Labour were in first and second place at the last General Election.
Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, commented: “This poll highlights just how out of touch those pushing for the legalisation of drugs are.
“The public know that drugs devastate lives and cost the country billions. Making access to these dangerous substances easier will simply make matters worse.”
Cannabis
In a separate national survey of just over 2,000 British adults, most people (52 per cent) disagreed with Nick Clegg’s stance that Governments should consider legalising cannabis, while just 27 per cent agreed.
And nearly four in ten 18 to 24-year-olds disagreed with Nick Clegg’s position.
Only one in five (21 per cent) thought decriminalising cannabis use would make the UK a better place to live, with the majority (53 per cent) disagreeing.
Young people
Mr Hart said: “Too often politicians think that calling for the relaxation of drugs laws is popular, especially among young people. As these polls prove, it is not. In fact Nick Clegg has managed to pick a policy that seems highly likely to lose him even more votes from the low levels that he and his party are currently on.
“The public want the Government, police and other law and order agencies to focus on better enforcement. They know that we are at war on this issue and the answer is not to run up the white flag of surrender, but to redouble our efforts in tackling this terrible problem.”