THE GREAT AND THE GOOD CAMPAIGN FOR REVIEW OF DRUG LAWS
Leading QC’s, three former Chief Constables, academics, politicians and high profile celebrities have today sent an open letter to the Coalition Government calling for an immediate and transparent review of current drug policy with a view to decriminalisation1 of possession of all drugs. The letter, supported by Dame Judi Dench; Sting; Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC; and Julie Christie among others, has been organised by the national charity Release and is the first step in the organisation’s new campaign: Drugs – It’s Time for Better Laws.
The launch of this UK campaign coincides with the report of the Global Commission on Drug Policy which will be released in New York later today. The Commission, which includes Kofi Annan and Richard Branson, states that ‘that the global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world’ and recommends the ‘end [of] the criminalization, marginalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others’.
Release’s campaign highlights the immediate need for a review of the UK’s current drug policy. Sting, who is supporting the campaign, states: “Giving young people criminal records for minor drug possession serves little purpose - it is time to think of more imaginative ways of addressing drug use in our society”. Leading hepatologist, Professor Graham Foster adds; "Current drug laws are failing both drug users and society at large." Niamh Eastwood, Deputy Director at Release, advised: “As a provider of free legal services to the public for over forty years Release sees first-hand how the current system causes real damage to individuals without protecting communities. Nearly, 80,0002 people last year were convicted or cautioned for drug offences – this is a waste of resources both in terms of the cost to the public purse and the restrictions on people’s futures in regards to employment and education”. The campaign will encourage the public to offer their support by writing to their MPs calling on them to take a principled stand over the UK’s failed drug policies.
END
Notes to editors:
1. Release is the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law providing expert advice to the public.
2. The Global Commission on Drug Policy will meet on 02 June 2011 in New York (http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/). A copy of the embargoed report & press release is available on request.
1 Decriminalisation is a model which adopts civil sanctions in relation to drug possession.
2 Ministry of Justice Criminal Justice Statistics (England and Wales) showed that 79,413 people were found guilty or cautioned for drug possession in 2010.
3. Letter and signatories attached.
Press Enquiries: Niamh Eastwood – 07900 002632/
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
; Rupert George – 07767 768959/
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
; Kirstie Douse – 07793 221039/
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.
The following signatories will be available for interviews and comments:
Baroness Molly Meacher
Tom Lloyd (Former Chief Constable Cambridgeshire)
Paul Mandelle QC (Joint Head of 25 Bedford Row)
Dr Mike Shiner (Senior Lecturer and Assistant Director of the Mannheim Centre for Criminology, LSE)