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Government has no plans to decriminalise drug possession, after Home Office report prompts heated debate (31 October 2014)

Date: 31/10/2014
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Government has no plans to decriminalise drug possession, after Home Office report prompts heated debate

The government has said it has no plans to change drugs laws, after a report published by the Home Office suggested there was no link between stringent laws on drugs offences and a decline in illegal drug use.

Following publication of the Home Office report, David Cameron said that the research quoted did not offer “specific conclusions”. The Prime Minister added that he did not believe in decriminalising drugs.

However, the Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of suppressing the findings of the Home Office report on drug use and the justice system “for months”.

The report examines the UK’s policy on dealing with drugs offences and compares it with drugs policies in 13 countries – many of which combine a treatment approach to drug use with a low-level approach to criminalising drug users.

The report suggests that in countries such as Portugal, making drugs possession a health issue rather than a criminal matter has resulted in “considerable” improvement in the health of drug users since the policy was introduced in 2001.

The Home Office responded by saying that the outcomes achieved by tackling drug possession as a health issue could not be attributed solely to decriminalising drug possession.

Some reformed drug addicts are calling for drug addiction to be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal offence, however.

The government currently has 200,000 drug users in drugs rehabilitation schemes – but many more drugs offenders are in jail.

Drug dealers can be handed down a life sentence for producing drugs or supplying drugs.

Possessing Class A drugs such as cocaine or heroin can carry a seven-year sentence.

Some supporters of a more tolerant drugs policy claim that illegal drugs are no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco.

Narcotics, alcohol and nicotine are all brain-altering substances, however.

Addiction results from stimulus to the “pleasure” area of the brain when drugs are used. The response is similar for people addicted to alcohol or nicotine – as well as different types of food like chocolate or even addictions to shopping or gambling.

Higher doses of drugs and other stimulants may be needed over time to produce the same “high”.

However, with powerful stimulants used over a long period of time, addictions can be harder to beat as changes in the brain become established patterns, making the physical symptoms of withdrawal harder to deal with, including cravings.

Drug use has also been linked to physical health impairment – cocaine and amphetamine use have been linked to a higher risk of stroke and heart attack; and links between cannabis use and psychotic illness or a higher risk of lung or other cancers have been suggested by some studies.

New Labour declassified cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug – only to reclassify it over fears of the effect the drug might have on young adults, whose brains are still developing.

Young brains still have what is called “neuroplasticity” – the ability to make new brain connections and learn new things, even after brain injury.

However, brain plasticity diminishes with age, meaning the effects of chemicals which cause changes in the brain may become more hardwired with prolonged use of drugs, nicotine or alcohol – with the brain less able to “un-learn” its pleasure response to drugs or other stimulants, which may lead to relapse.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a criminal charge – including offences relating to drugs possession and the production or supply of Class A drugs.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons to advise on criminal law – including youth courts and Young Offender Institutions.

For expert legal advice on drugs offences, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours legal advice and representation during interview under police caution, call the Duncan Lewis Out-of-Hours Crime Lawyers Hotline on 07920 077057.


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