UK - Drugs policy needs overhaul, says German (Wales)

[Lunar Loops]

Always so good to see labour making wild allegations of the opposition

Any attempt to even talk about a policy shift on drugs is leapt upon as being soft on criminals.

This from ICWales.co.uk:

Drugs policy needs overhaul, says German

Apr 22 2008 by David Williamson, Western Mail

WELSH Liberal Democrat leader Mike German has called for an overhaul of drug and prison policy.
His call came as the party launched an attack on Labour’s record on crime – an issue at the centre of Labour’s local government election campaign.
It provoked a furious reaction from Labour with one MP accusing the Lib-Dems of “letting criminals run free” and of voting against Labour’s tough legislation to crack down on antisocial behaviour”.
Mr German said he wants “ruthless” action against drug dealers but has called for a new approach to dealing with users.
Mr German claimed 75% of young adults and juveniles are convicted of another offence within two years of release from prison.
He said: “It is not a solution to simply send people to prison when you can’t do anything about them when they come out the other end.”
The Lib-Dem leader argues that Labour is guilty of “trying to look tough on crime” without tackling the causes of crime.
More than six out of 10 of all adult offenders (65%) are also convicted again within two years of release, he said, adding that more than half of all offenders do not have the skills required to enter the vast majority of jobs and that only one in five was able to fill out an applications form.
Mr German said that while the number of people “being banged up” had increased, so had the fear of crime.
He also condemned that “things like stones being thrown at car windows, litter, dogs being left free to roam in places where they are a danger to children, has got greater”.
Calling for an increase in community policing, he also demanded new thinking about drugs.
Insisting that the current policy isn’t working, he said: “I think we need to distinguish between those who are selling drugs and those who are using drugs. We come down like a ton of bricks on people who are selling drugs – we just need to be ruthless. We can’t do anything else. But I think you have to look very carefully at each individual user of drugs to see whether or not they could be helped to get out of that drug habit.”
The party claims 70% of prisoners suffer from two or more mental health disorders. It wants more drug treatment facilities and mental health beds.
The party is also demanding a nationwide roll-out of the 101 non-emergency telephone service used to report antisocial behaviour.
Jenny Willott, the Lib-Dem Cardiff Central MP, also hit out at Labour’s record on crime, saying: “They’ve created hundreds of new offences, filled our prisons to breaking point, embarked on a police merger programme which wasted thousands of police hours and hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
Mr German said: “Labour’s record on crime is shocking. From short-sighted policy decisions to blatant bad management, Labour have had little impact on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities since coming to power in 1997.”
The Lib-Dem comments sparked a furious reaction from Labour.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour MP for Ogmore, said: “Their record in charge of councils in Wales is one of letting criminals run free. Nationally the Liberal Democrats want to lower the drinking age to 16.
“And they voted against Labour’s tough legislation to crack down on antisocial behaviour in our neighbourhoods.
“In local councils across Wales the Lib-Dems have given criminals a free ride.”
Attacking the party’s record in the Welsh capital, he said: “They had to be forced by Labour to establish a dedicated team to tackle graffiti and to impose alcohol-free zones in the city.
“In Wrexham, the Liberal Democrats failed to introduce crucial council-employed community safety wardens. . .
“We are on the side of the law-abiding majority. The Liberal Democrats have, and always will, be on the side of criminals.”