North MP backs call to stop locking up drug users

WE NEED A DIFFERENT APPROACH, SAYS MORRIS

not against ordinary users.

Police chiefs have led the way in calling for change.

Durham Chief Constable Mike Barton has argued that making hard drugs available through the NHS would take power away from criminal gangs.

And Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said he backs methods to prevent or reduce drug use so people can change their lifestyles and break their habits – rather than facing criminal prosecution, at great expense to them and to society.

Mr Morris said he was following the lead of police chiefs. He said: “The war on drugs has failed. “The North East has a grossly disproportionate morality rate compare to the rest of the UK.

“We need a more nuanced approach, which diverts drug users from the criminal justice system into healthcare and rehabilitation services.

“This would release police resources to target organised crime, disrupt supply and production, and remove drugs from our streets.

“While I believe we should support users into rehab, I personally believe we must take a zero tolerance approach to drug dealers, and I would support longer sentences for those involved in dealing and organised crime and remove them from our communities.

“In view of the problems we face in the North East, I believe the government must trust Police and Crime Commissioners to come up with innovated solutions to our drugs problem.

“Durham Constabulary is the only out- standing police force in the country according to HM Inspectorate, and I know Ron Hogg has considerable knowledge, experience and ideas on how we can address this crisis.

“I believe the government should allow Durham Constabulary to design and run a drug rehabilitation pilot project.

“The current drug policy has failed for 50 years, it is time we try new methods and ideas to tackle this problem.”

He’s not alone. A number of MPs called for a new approach to drugs in a recent House of Commons debate.

Ruth George, Labour MP for High Peak, told the House of Commons: “An enormous part of the harm that is done by drugs is when people, particularly young people, do not know what it is that they are taking.

“If we are considering a harm prevention strategy, should we not be trying to ensure that we can protect people and help them to know what they are taking? Does that not include making drugs available legally so that we can test them and properly protect people?”

Conservative Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate, said: “We have left the manufacture and supply in the hands of organised criminals and treated their victims – many of whom are vulnerable members of our society and many of whom have mental illnesses – as criminals, and they are unable or unwilling to seek medical help due to the illegality, exclusion and stigma.”

He urged Ministers to set up a Royal Commission to consider whether changes to the law are needed.