First minister takes tough line on hard drug

[Abrad]

First minister takes tough line on hard drugs
TOM GORDON April 28 2006 http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/61000.html
Jack McConnell yesterday took the highly unusual step of criticising serving police officers, attacking those who believe hard drugs should be legalised.
The first minister spoke out the day after some rank-and-file officers in the Scottish Police Federation called for legalisation of drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.
It was claimed the move would allow drugs to be regulated, and destroy the lucrative criminal trade in their supply.
Asked what he thought of the approach, Mr McConnell replied: "I think it would be a disaster. I was astonished to hear Scottish police officers or representatives of some of them calling for the legalisation of hard drugs. It would be a totally irresponsible step."
He said it would send the wrong message to addicts, dealers and the communities they terrorised.
He also congratulated the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency after recent successes against drug rings in the west of Scotland and Aberdeen.
"Every police officer I have spoken to on this subject supports a tough approach to the legislative framework on drugs, and a tough approach to enforcement," Mr McConnell added.
Jack McConnell yesterday took the highly unusual step of criticising serving police officers, attacking those who believe hard drugs should be legalised.
The first minister spoke out the day after some rank-and-file officers in the Scottish Police Federation called for legalisation of drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.
It was claimed the move would allow drugs to be regulated, and destroy the lucrative criminal trade in their supply.
Asked what he thought of the approach, Mr McConnell replied: "I think it would be a disaster. I was astonished to hear Scottish police officers or representatives of some of them calling for the legalisation of hard drugs. It would be a totally irresponsible step."
He said it would send the wrong message to addicts, dealers and the communities they terrorised.
He also congratulated the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency after recent successes against drug rings in the west of Scotland and Aberdeen.
"Every police officer I have spoken to on this subject supports a tough approach to the legislative framework on drugs, and a tough approach to enforcement,"