UK Cannabis Policy Review Will Lead to Greater Harm Reduction.
Press release: communityaction 21/03/05
communityaction supports suggestions that the UK Government review the cannabis policy they introduced a year ago.
communityaction hopes that this review will be another step towards more effective drug harm reduction policies
following the initial move away from criminalising cannabis users.
“Contrary to what Matt Robson might say, the reclassification of cannabis has not resulted in a rise in use amongst
youth in the UK.” Said harm reduction campaigner, Duncan Eddy, of communityaction.
Cannabis use by young people in the UK has remained stable following reclassification, and is down since April 1998.
28.2 per cent of UK 16-24 year olds used cannabis then compared to 24.8 per cent now. This reflects the Dutch
experience, where moving from criminal sanctions to drug education has reduced cannabis consumption.
UK police can now also focus on solving and preventing crimes against person and property. Cannabis reclassification
has created an estimated saving in police time of 199,000 police hours.
“Drug laws should protect the vulnerable. The prohibition of cannabis has failed to reduce use and abuse of the
substance, whilst creating impediments to effective harm reduction. Cannabis use is widespread in New Zealand, and it’s
time our legislators followed the lead of the UK Government and moves towards improving the well being of those most at
risk.” Said Duncan Eddy
“Arrest rates and polling suggest this country has the highest rate of cannabis use per capita in the Western World.
Yet drug education and treatment services in this country are under funded, and the vast majority of taxpayers money
directed against cannabis harm is spent enforcing a failed criminal prohibition. Change is long overdue.”
The full Home Office Statement is available online at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=1222
For more information call: Duncan Eddy at communityaction: 021 174 0400