UK - Finally, a rational debate seems possible (UK)

[Lunar Loops]

Whilst this article seems encouraging, SWIS is less than convinced. As far as SWIS is aware Cameron has also made statements clearly stating his firm convictions that no drugs should be legalised. Too many false dawns. Anyway, this article from The Independent (UK):
Leading article: Finally, a rational debate seems possible

Published: 12 February 2007



Drugs are no longer the great stigma they once were at Westminster. The most dramatic indication of this came seven years ago when Ann Widdecombe stood up at the Conservative Party conference to propose that people caught with even the smallest amount of cannabis should be fined £100. Seven of her front-bench colleagues promptly admitted that they had smoked cannabis at university, strangling Ms Widdecombe's silly "zero tolerance" policy at birth. On the Labour side we have had similar admissions of youthful indiscretion from Charles Clarke, Vernon Coaker, Caroline Flint and the late Mo Mowlam. In all, 32 current MPs have owned up to having taken drugs at one point.
More damaging when it comes to drugs these days are accusations of lying, or hypocrisy. So what are we to make of the revelation that the Tory leader, David Cameron, was disciplined for smoking cannabis when he was at school? In the 2005 Conservative leadership election, Mr Cameron refused to answer questions about whether he had ever taken drugs, although admitting to "typical student experiences". Throughout the media frenzy that attended that election, he never said anything that now disgraces him.
It is instructive to compare his behaviour to that of Charles Kennedy. The former Liberal Democrat leader insisted that he did not have a drinking problem right up to the point it emerged he had received treatment for alcoholism. By contrast there has been no "cover-up" over Mr Cameron's past. That is why, despite the fuss that will inevitably be generated by this revelation, the Conservative leader's reputation will survive unscathed.
So much for the politics. But what about the principle? The truth is that it is of minor importance what politicians did before they entered politics. It is far more important what they propose to do once they are there. And it is somewhat ironic that Mr Cameron is far more sensible on the subject of drugs than either his Tory predecessors or the present Government. He has demanded intensive rehabilitation for drug addicts rather than prison, showing an understanding that addiction cannot be cured by imprisonment. And last month he said he would be "relaxed" about legalising cannabis for medicinal use.
Indeed, reforming drugs policy has been one of the themes running through Mr Cameron's career since he entered Parliament in 2001. He sat on the Home Affairs Select Committee, which produced a bold report in 2002 on the subject of drugs. He supported the Government's downgrading of cannabis from class B to C in 2004 and suggested that the Government should consider doing the same for ecstasy, too.
It is true that there is a growing body of opinion that says some of the varieties of cannabis available today, in particular "skunk", are more dangerous than they were in the past. But this does not alter the fact that heavy-handed prohibition is failing. Mr Cameron's emphasis on reducing harm is the only sensible way to proceed.
It is interesting that the shift in attitudes towards politicians and past drug use over here seems to be echoed on the other side of the Atlantic. In his political memoir, the new Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, admitted to taking drugs while a young man. Things have moved since the days when Bill Clinton felt, under heavy questioning, that he had to deny inhaling.
If any good is to come out of such revelations it will be a less hysterical debate about drugs policy. There are strong signs that the public is far less one dimensional in its attitudes than parts of the media and the political establishment believe. Almost a third of adults in this country have taken some form of illegal drug. There is a growing awareness that present policies are not working. At least now we seem to have a generation of politicians who know a little of what they are talking about.

[grecian]

Originally Posted by shroomonger

As far as SWIS is aware Cameron has also made statements clearly stating his firm convictions that no drugs should be legalised.

You are correct, Cameron whilst suggesting a possibility for medicinal cannabis use, has no (known) plans for legalisation of cannabis or any other restricted substance. Even medicinal use is probably a step to far for the grass roots of the Conservative party and the righ-of-center press to accept. Besides given the 'scandalous' headlines of the past few days about Cameron's alleged cannabis use as a schoolboy 25 years ago, it seems that the British media is not yet ready to give up on one of its favourite moral panics just yet. The conspiracy theorist in me would go as far to say that these scandals (whether true or unfounded) are a surefire way of undermiming any possible lenient stance on drugs from Cameron.

[Abrad]

www.thisislondon.co.uk
Teenagers tempted to follow his example and experiment with drugs have been given a blunt message by David Cameron: "Don't - it's wrong."

A day after they first appeared, the Tory leader confirmed weekend reports that he smoked cannabis at Eton as he appealed to voters to judge him on his policies rather than the mistakes of his youth.On a two-day visit to Sweden, he spoke of his fears as a parent about an "epidemic" of super-strength cannabis sweeping the country.

He warned that some schools were effectively encouraging pupils to experiment with drugs by giving them too much tempting information.

And he told the Daily Mail that he wants a review of the official drug classification system to take account of a raft of new addictive substances available on the streets.

Mr Cameron kept up his refusal to discuss the precise circumstances that saw him narrowly avoid expulsion from Eton at the age of 15 over his involvement in a drugs ring.

Faced with detailed revelations about a 1982 scandal at the exclusive boarding school that saw seven pupils expelled and himself gated, Mr Cameron had said nothing on Sunday beyond a prepared statement.

But he spoke candidly about how his experience has shaped his understanding of drugs policy, and revealed that if a 15-year-old constituent asked him for advice today, he would tell him to stay away from drugs.

"I would advise strongly against it. It's against the law, it's wrong. I have seen what's happened to contemporaries and constituents who have gone badly off the rails with drugs.

"Doing drugs is a bad idea, and there is a real epidemic in our country and we need to do things about that," he said.

He added: "I have been very clear about this. When they are young, lots of people do things they shouldn't and I was one of them.

"I regret those things but people should judge me now based on the policies I put forward. That is the message that is coming from the Conservative party."

Sunday's revelations, detailed in a new biography of Mr Cameron, left him facing the kind of awkward questions he ducked during the 2005 Tory leadership contest.

He stuck by his claim that all politicians are entitled to a "private past" and should not be required to reveal everything of their lives before they enter politics.

By last night, there was no sign of a backlash among Conservatives who appeared happy to forgive what many believe was little more than a youthful indiscretion.

But with uncertainty still surrounding Mr Cameron's experience of drugs in later life, in particular after he left university but before he became an MP, there were signs that Labour's dirty tricks squad are keen to sow doubts about his character.

Mr Cameron is privately furious over attempts by some in the Labour party, which he blames on Gordon Brown, to portray his attitude to drugs as "casual".

The Chancellor has let it be known that he favours a "zero-tolerance" approach to drugs among his advisers and has never tried them personally.

Speaking in Stockholm before meeting the new Swedish prime minister, he said Tory policy would put an emphasis on fact-based education using the first-hand experiences of reformed addicts, and residential rehabilitation.

Accompanied by Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and policy chief Oliver Letwin, Mr Cameron is here to learn from Fredrik Reinfeldt who successfully shifted his party to the political centre and ousted a left-wing government that had been in power for more than a decade.

Speaking to the Mail, he emphasised his "regret" at what he believes was a youthful mistake which will inform his approach to drugs policy.

He said: "I still don't think we are getting drugs education right in Britain. On some occasions in some schools we are almost too informative and are almost encouraging people to experiment."

Conservative policy at the last election would be based on proposals developed under Michael Howard that would see a dramatic expansion of residential places available to hardened addicts.

Mr Cameron praised the tougher approach in Sweden, which does not distinguish between cannabis and harder drugs such as heroin, and practices a zero-tolerance policy.

He said: "I have argued against the legalisation of any drugs. Drug-taking is wrong and it's against the law. And that's as it should be."

The strength of drugs now available on the streets has increased dramatically in recent years, he said, notably cannabis. He repeated his call for the downgrading of cannabis from Schedule B to C under Labour to be reversed.

But he also said there was scope for an overhaul of the Home Office classification system which directs how the criminal justice system treats each drug.

He added: "At some stage we need to look at the whole classification system. Is it sending out an accurate message about drugs and their effects?

"Times have changed and drugs change. New drugs appear that either aren't illegal or don't fit in a class. The classification system is in need of a great overhaul."

Mr Cameron said: "Bringing up children today, there are so many temptations and opportunities that might do you damage.

"Like any parent I worry about the choices my children make and I am desperate for them to make the right choices. That's why I do try to choose my words carefully.

"As someone with a prominent role I have a responsibility to talk about things in a sensible manner and as a parent I'm very keen to ensure that I do everything to encourage peope to make the right decison rather than the wrong ones. Preaching doesn't work but good sense does."

[turkeyphant]

shroomonger: thanks for the link - do you know who wrote that article?

[Lunar Loops]

Originally Posted by turkeyphant

shroomonger: thanks for the link - do you know who wrote that article?

No, I'm afraid I don't know who wrote the article, but here is the link to it:

http://comment.independent.co.uk/lea...cle2261485.ece

[Lunar Loops]

Here we go, true Tory colours to the fore. Not surprisingly, this didn't take very long. This from today's Torygraph:

Cameron calls for harder line on cannabis use

By George Jones, Political Editor

Last Updated: 2:58am GMT 13/02/2007

David Cameron is urging the Government to take a harder line on possession and supply of cannabis use despite reports of his own youthful indiscretions with the drug, the Conservative Party said yesterday.
Mr Cameron believes cannabis should be reclassified as a Class B drug – reversing Labour's decision to downgrade it to Class C three years ago.
He believes the downgrading of cannabis sent out the message that it was a soft, safe drug and encouraged consumption. Police are now more likely just to confiscate the drug and give users a warning.
The Tory leader, who has not denied reports that he used cannabis as a schoolboy at Eton 25 years ago, is opposed to legalising the drug's recreational use, saying it would increase availability and make it more difficult for parents to keep their children away from drugs.
But he is "relaxed" about legalising cannabis for medicinal use if there is evidence of its health benefits.
Conservative officials believe Mr Cameron, who yesterday began a two-day official visit to Sweden, has weathered the storm over his alleged cannabis use as a teenager.
The only criticism appears to have been that he could have been more open when the issue was raised during the Tory leadership election over a year ago.
Mr Cameron, 40, admitted there were things in his past which he regretted, but insisted politicians were entitled to a "private past".
The Conservative Party's information telephone line took about 20 calls yesterday on the issue. Officials said only one of the callers expressed criticism of the Tory leader.
The other 19, many of them from younger people, were supportive, saying the reports of drug use in his youth had no bearing on his abilities as a politician, and if anything "made him appear more human".
Party officials stressed that Mr Cameron now believed cannabis should be reclassified as a Class B drug along with amphetamines (speed) and barbiturates.
Maximum penalties for possession are five years in prison and a fine, and up to 14 years jail for supply.
As a Class C drug, cannabis is currently classed alongside anabolic steroids, tranquilisers such as Valium and some mild amphetamines.
Possession could result in a two-year prison sentence, though the maximum jail term for supply was recently increased to 14 years.
Police in some forces currently turn a blind eye to people who have small amounts of cannabis for personal use. Most people found in possession of the drug are unlikely to be arrested, and the police will usually give them an on-the-spot warning and confiscate the drug.
However, Mr Cameron believes that cannabis is a "harmful and dangerous drug", and the stronger strains of cannabis now available on the street mean that it should be re-classified.
Yesterday Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, said Mr Cameron was "right to say he's entitled to keep private what he did all those years ago" even if the act concerned was against the law.
Pressure on the Government to rethink its whole drugs policy will increase next month with a report from a commission on the illegal use of drugs.
The commission will recommend that the whole approach to drugs should be based on the harm they cause to individuals and society rather than "demonising" drug users.

[turkeyphant]

What the fuck? How blatantly can the media manipulate the policies of Tory scum?

[machine_elf]

Ultimately SWIM isn't going to have his consumption of psychedelics removed by any ignorant and uninformed politicians. Legalisation is a beautiful goal but SWIM can't see it being achieved for a long time and isn't prepared to wait (I assume the rest of you feel the same way). So at the end of the day, politicians can naysay and disapprove until they go blue.... SWIM'll just be here learning from the brilliance of DMT.

[baron samedi]

SWIM will not be holding his breath for a tory government to legalize any drugs for recreational purposes. The lib dems are the only 1 of the 3 main parties where there would be hope of change were they in power, but SWIM doubts they will ever come close to a majority government.
SWIM can't stand the way people have seized on the "skunk" issue to embolden prohibition, like its one of great dangers for the youth of today. Its still a hell of a lot safer physically than smoking the adulterated cannabis you get with prohibition.