MEMORANDUM 28
Submitted by the Green Party
1. PRINCIPLES
OF GREEN
PARTY DRUGS
POLICY
1.1 Throughout history, psychoactive substances
have been used by societies the world over and are likely to continue
to be used in one form or another, therefore this use should be
made as safe as possible.
1.2 Drug usewhether experimental,
recreational or dependentcan have a damaging effect not
only on the user but also on the user's family and society. Our
policy would seek to minimise this harm.
1.3 Therefore the aim of the Green Party
drugs policy is to create an environment where drug use causes
the minimum harm, both to the user and to society at large. Specifically,
it rejects the goal of a drug free society, as being unachievable
and unrealistic.
1.4 We realise that drugs are not a single
issue and that the matter is complex, covering a range of legal
and illegal substances with differing hazards and benefits resulting
from their use. The blunt instrument of prohibition is therefore
inappropriate as it simply creates an illegal and unregulated
market.
1.5 In order to achieve our aims of harm
reduction, we believe it has to be accepted that drug information
should be targeted at the users and the best place to do this
is where they gather. This information should be presented in
a way that is sympathetic to, and supportive of, the culture,
otherwise it will be ignored as much of today's information has
been.
1.6 To remove the large-scale commercial
exploitation of drugs, advertising should be limited to the point
of sale.
1.7 To deny organised crime, terrorism and
rogue government departments a massive and unaccountable source
of income.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 Cannabis
2.1.1 It is our view that this substance
is so widespread in society, its use so utterly normalised and
the problems it causes are so few that we propose cannabis be
legalised under a regulated regime. People would be allowed to
grow and sell their own, high street availability would be via
Dutch style "cannabis cafes" with age limits similar
to those for alcohol.
2.1.2 The aim of controls would be to ensure
people don't get ripped off.
2.1.3 We recognise tobacco as the "hard
drug" associated with cannabis use. As a part of the harm
reduction approach we would encourage the use of cannabis without
tobacco a "Safer Smoking" campaign.
2.2 Dance drugs
2.2.1 Present policy is simply to suppress
the market and the culture that surrounds it. The results of this
policy are:
(i) To push drugs into the dark corners and
into the hands of irresponsible distributors.
(ii) To make it difficult to have any idea
of the composition, purity or strength of drugs, hence encouraging
irresponsible patterns of use.
(iii) To encourage secretive behaviour and
ignorance amongst users, in particular the "take enough in
advance" attitude.
(iv) To damage a vibrant and creative musical/artistic
culture, which is an integral part of Britain's economy.
2.2.2 Green Party policy therefore aims
to:
2.2.3 Create a regime based on education
and honest information, which by its nature would accept that
there are perceived positive benefits from using these substances
and which would relate in a meaningful way to the culture. In
short, harm reduction, fun maximisation.
2.2.4 Aim to bring the drug use out of the
dark corners and thus to create an informed attitude to drug use
amongst users.
2.2.5 Monitor the purity and strength of
drugs by a regime of lab testing, backed up by Marquis or similar
pill testing, in clubs. This information should be made available
to users.
2.2.6 To nurture an awareness of dose levels
amongst users.
2.2.7 To discourage poly-drug use.
2.2.8 To encourage a sense of community
whereby users are aware of the need to provide support to other
users who may be having problems.
2.2.9 The ultimate aim would be to bring
the whole dance drugs trade into a legally regulated system, the
details of which would be decided by a drugs commission.
3. PROBLEMATIC/ESCAPIST
DRUG USE,
DEALING WITH
ADDICTION
3.1 Heroin
3.1.1 In accordance with the principles
of harm minimisation the principal aims of policy should be to
safeguard the health of the user and the wellbeing of society.
3.1.2 We therefore support a regime of heroin
maintenance for existing addicts. Heroin would be prescribed under
hygienic, supervised conditions that allow the addict to stabilise
their habit.
3.1.3 The aim of policy should also be to
close down street dealers and thus to reduce the rate of uptake
amongst new recruits. Offering addicts heroin maintenance would
achieve this aim. We note the large drop in crime rate amongst
addicts on heroin maintenance schemes around the world.
3.1.4 Addicts should be offered a range
of consensual treatments and support when they wish to quit.
3.2 Cocaine/Crack
3.2.1 Again the principles of harm reduction
form the basis of our approach, however we accept that long-term
maintenance is not an option.
4. DETOX
4.1 We recognise that in manyif not
mostcases of drug addiction the best solution is to persuade
the user to stop. This can, in our opinion, only be truly successful
if the addict wants to quit.
4.2 The Green Party supports the establishment
of detox units and residential rehabilitation units for those
who want to quit.
4.3 We note the effectiveness of Ibogaine
in breaking addiction and support further use and research.
5. WORLD
TRADE
5.1 We recognise many producer areas of
the world are dependent on the drugs trade.
5.2 We would grant importation licences
only to products that were fairly traded.
September 2001
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