CELEBRITY STYLE SPY: See all the latest celeb photos

Is it right to treat drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal offence?

By Hannah Thomas on Tuesday 17 August 2010

Print
Share
Comment

Cocaine, news, Marie Claire

The use of illegal drugs should be decriminalised to help addicts and drastically reduce crime, according to a leading doctor.

Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, former president of the Royal College of Physicians suggested that relaxing the law on drugs such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis would not increase the number of addicts and could save vast amounts of taxpayers' money.

‘There is a lot of evidence that the total prohibition of drugs, making them totally illicit, has not been successful at reducing the health burden or the impact on crime,’ he said.

Under his proposals, those caught in possession of drugs will be fined by a civil court rather than face charges in a criminal court, with the aim of helping people with addiction problems instead of putting them in prison.

According to a spokesperson for the drug charity Release, Portugal’s 2001 decriminalisation led to a cut in overdoses and a fall in the number of young users.

‘The current system isn’t working. It doesn’t deter drug use,’ she said.

But David Green, director of think tank Civitas, said: 'Legalising drugs would simply result in a lot more people taking them.’

A Home Office spokesman added, ‘Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis are extremely harmful and can cause misery to communities across the country.’

Have your say on the notion. Do you believe crime rate would be reduced if drugs were made available on the NHS? Do you think the legalization of drugs would improve health, or cause a downward spiral of drug abuse? Perhaps you think the current punishment for drug addiction fits the crime?

Post your comments below...

CLICK HERE FOR MORE BIG DEBATES

WORLD NEWS

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Have your say ...

Add your own comment

The way this is handled is really dependendant on the individual involved. Some think taking drugs is wonderful even coercing others to try.....These need charging and being put in a cell to go cold turkey the hard way.
Others say they hate it, want to stop, apologise for their behaviour, admit they are masking something from their memory. These need help and compassion on all levels.

Comment by Wendy on September 06 23:44

It's a choice to take drugs or not. Every person is in control of their own choices. It shouldn't be looked upon as a health issue. I come from a family with drug addiction and as someone who has had to be on the receiving end of what drugs can do to people you love it's not a health issue. They chose that route.
The suppliers need harsher punishment and people found with it on them need strict punishment. I've watched people walk out of court with a pathetic fine as punishment. It's not a lesson learnt. Mind you, the law system of the country is a joke.
Comment by Helen on September 09 10:42