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Legalisation of Drugs!

The debate on the legalisation of drugs is continuing after renewed calls for an adult debate on the subject.  Last weekend, a large number of Liberal Democrat delegates called for an examination of the case for legalising all drugs. The reasons for legalisation would be to improve health by removing the impurities in black market drugs and also to end the trade of drug pushing.

The debate comes after increasing dissatisfaction with the government's current soft drugs policy.  Former deputy  Conservative leader, Peter Lilley called for the legalisation of cannabis in July while ex-cabinet minister Mo Mowlam called the current level of parliamentary debate on cannabis "a farce".

Police in Brixton became the first in the country to formally turn a "blind eye" to the possession of small amounts of cannabis earlier this year.  Although the Prime Minister remains opposed to legalisation, Home Secretary David  Blunkett has called for an "adult, intelligent" debate on the issue.

Article by Miranda Schunke and photograph by Phill Rodwell

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