This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7044115.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
'Legalise drugs' report supported | 'Legalise drugs' report supported |
(about 2 hours later) | |
North Wales Police Authority has backed a review of drug laws after its chief constable urged legalisation. | North Wales Police Authority has backed a review of drug laws after its chief constable urged legalisation. |
Richard Brunstrom asked the authority to back his calls to scrap current laws, legalise most drugs and bring in a new system to control them. | Richard Brunstrom asked the authority to back his calls to scrap current laws, legalise most drugs and bring in a new system to control them. |
While it agreed to support the report - to go to the Home Secretary as part of UK-wide consultation - it did not say current laws should be scrapped. | |
A senior police officers' body called legalisation "a counsel of despair". | A senior police officers' body called legalisation "a counsel of despair". |
Mr Brunstrom called the fight against drugs unwinnable but said he did not want "an anarchic free-for-all". | Mr Brunstrom called the fight against drugs unwinnable but said he did not want "an anarchic free-for-all". |
He said there was a battle with "the flat earthers" who refused to look at the evidence suggesting drugs laws need a radical change. | He said there was a battle with "the flat earthers" who refused to look at the evidence suggesting drugs laws need a radical change. |
I think he's not just thinking outside the box, he's just simply wrong Albert Owen MP | I think he's not just thinking outside the box, he's just simply wrong Albert Owen MP |
The chief constable said his report was not a "crusade or proactive - it is a response based on a degree of radicalism". | The chief constable said his report was not a "crusade or proactive - it is a response based on a degree of radicalism". |
The authority agreed that his report should go to the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government, which is about to conduct its own drugs consultation. | The authority agreed that his report should go to the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government, which is about to conduct its own drugs consultation. |
It also said there should be a review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, with the possible replacement of a Misuse of Substances Act regulating all drugs, including nicotine and alcohol based on a new hierarchy of harm. | It also said there should be a review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, with the possible replacement of a Misuse of Substances Act regulating all drugs, including nicotine and alcohol based on a new hierarchy of harm. |
The authority further agreed to consider affiliation with the lobby group Transform Drug Policy Foundation. | The authority further agreed to consider affiliation with the lobby group Transform Drug Policy Foundation. |
Before the meeting, Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood told BBC Wales' Politics Show that Mr Brunstrom was right to raise the issue. | Before the meeting, Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood told BBC Wales' Politics Show that Mr Brunstrom was right to raise the issue. |
'Not fit for purpose' | 'Not fit for purpose' |
Ms Wood, a former probation officer, said she agreed with the chief constable that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was "not fit for purpose". | Ms Wood, a former probation officer, said she agreed with the chief constable that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was "not fit for purpose". |
She also agreed with his view that the UK's drugs strategy was "unwinnable". | She also agreed with his view that the UK's drugs strategy was "unwinnable". |
"I've seen myself how people are just recycled through the system," she said. | "I've seen myself how people are just recycled through the system," she said. |
Richard Brunstrom says he doesn't want 'an anarchic free-for-all'"They go to prison, they come out of prison, they end up continuing using drugs and continuing breaking the law, and that has to change. | Richard Brunstrom says he doesn't want 'an anarchic free-for-all'"They go to prison, they come out of prison, they end up continuing using drugs and continuing breaking the law, and that has to change. |
"I think Richard Brunstrom is doing some thinking outside the box on this, which is long overdue," she added. | "I think Richard Brunstrom is doing some thinking outside the box on this, which is long overdue," she added. |
But Anglesey MP Albert Owen had said he hoped the authority would reject Mr Brunstrom's recommendations. | But Anglesey MP Albert Owen had said he hoped the authority would reject Mr Brunstrom's recommendations. |
"I think he's not just thinking outside the box, he's just simply wrong," he said. | "I think he's not just thinking outside the box, he's just simply wrong," he said. |
"We should have a three-pronged attack which is education, crime enforcement, which is prohibition of hard drugs and also rehabilitation." | "We should have a three-pronged attack which is education, crime enforcement, which is prohibition of hard drugs and also rehabilitation." |
'Counsel of despair' | 'Counsel of despair' |
Last week Mr Brunstrom's views were criticised by Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami who said claiming legalising heroin was the only way forward was "blinkered and dangerous". | Last week Mr Brunstrom's views were criticised by Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami who said claiming legalising heroin was the only way forward was "blinkered and dangerous". |
Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sergeant said a more sustainable solution would be to tackle the causes of drug abuse. | Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sergeant said a more sustainable solution would be to tackle the causes of drug abuse. |
Earlier, a spokeswoman for Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) which represents 44 UK police authorities, said Mr Brunstrom was entitled to his personal views. | Earlier, a spokeswoman for Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) which represents 44 UK police authorities, said Mr Brunstrom was entitled to his personal views. |
"Acpo does not agree with the repeal of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or the legalisation of drugs - this is arguably a counsel of despair." | "Acpo does not agree with the repeal of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or the legalisation of drugs - this is arguably a counsel of despair." |
She added: "Moving to total legalisation would, in our view, greatly exacerbate the harm to people in this country, not reduce it. | She added: "Moving to total legalisation would, in our view, greatly exacerbate the harm to people in this country, not reduce it. |
"It simply does not make sense to legitimise dangerous narcotic substances which would then have the potential to ruin even more lives and our neighbourhoods." | "It simply does not make sense to legitimise dangerous narcotic substances which would then have the potential to ruin even more lives and our neighbourhoods." |