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MPs to debate drugs policy amid call for review of laws MPs are debating drugs policy amid call for review of laws
(about 3 hours later)
MPs are to debate government policy on drugs in the House of Commons later. Green MP Caroline Lucas has said "fear of the tabloids" has driven UK drug policy for the last few decades.
A group of backbench MPs from all parties will call on the government to conduct a review of the "failing" 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act during the debate, brought by Green MP Caroline Lucas. A group of backbenchers from all parties are urging the government to review the "failing" Misuse of Drugs Act, in a debate brought by Ms Lucas.
It comes as the Home Office publishes two separate reports into different approaches to drug misuse around the world and legal highs in the UK.It comes as the Home Office publishes two separate reports into different approaches to drug misuse around the world and legal highs in the UK.
The Home Office has said it is not considering any shift in drugs policy.The Home Office has said it is not considering any shift in drugs policy.
But MPs want a review to be published within the next 12 months.But MPs want a review to be published within the next 12 months.
The Misuse of Drugs Act was passed in 1971.
Ms Lucas said successive governments had consistently refused to take an "evidence-based approach" out of "fear of the tabloids", while Labour's Paul Flynn said drug policy since 1971 had been "evidence-free and prejudice-rich".
The Liberal Democrats' Julian Huppert claimed public opinion was turning in support of drug policy reform, and said that now "lots of newspapers are coming out in favour".
Thursday's debate was agreed to by the Commons Backbench Business Committee - after an e-petition calling for an impact assessment of drugs laws was signed by 135,000 people - and its conclusions will not be binding on the government.Thursday's debate was agreed to by the Commons Backbench Business Committee - after an e-petition calling for an impact assessment of drugs laws was signed by 135,000 people - and its conclusions will not be binding on the government.
But the symbolically important session will focus attention on UK attitudes towards drugs and highlight coalition divisions between the Conservatives and their Lib Dem coalition partners.But the symbolically important session will focus attention on UK attitudes towards drugs and highlight coalition divisions between the Conservatives and their Lib Dem coalition partners.
Home Office studyHome Office study
The reports released on Thursday say there is "no obvious relationship" between tough drug laws and levels of drug abuse.The reports released on Thursday say there is "no obvious relationship" between tough drug laws and levels of drug abuse.
One explored different ways in which 13 countries approach drug misuse and compared them with the UK.One explored different ways in which 13 countries approach drug misuse and compared them with the UK.
After examining a range of approaches, from zero-tolerance to decriminalisation, the research concluded that drug use is influenced by factors "more complex and nuanced than legislation and enforcement alone".After examining a range of approaches, from zero-tolerance to decriminalisation, the research concluded that drug use is influenced by factors "more complex and nuanced than legislation and enforcement alone".
Liberal Democrat Norman Baker, the Home Office minister for drug policy, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the report had "some inconvenient truths in it", and that it showed the current policy was a "nonsensical approach".Liberal Democrat Norman Baker, the Home Office minister for drug policy, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the report had "some inconvenient truths in it", and that it showed the current policy was a "nonsensical approach".
But Conservative MP Michael Ellis said the Lib Dem response was "naked political posturing", accusing them of drawing the wrong conclusions from the research.But Conservative MP Michael Ellis said the Lib Dem response was "naked political posturing", accusing them of drawing the wrong conclusions from the research.
The motion to be considered by MPs on Thursday contends that an "evidence-based approach" should be at the centre of an effective drugs policy and calls on the government to consider "all the alternatives to the UK's failing drug laws".The motion to be considered by MPs on Thursday contends that an "evidence-based approach" should be at the centre of an effective drugs policy and calls on the government to consider "all the alternatives to the UK's failing drug laws".
Caroline Lucas told the BBC earlier this month the motion "has been deliberately worded so as to be as uncontroversial as possible".Caroline Lucas told the BBC earlier this month the motion "has been deliberately worded so as to be as uncontroversial as possible".
Its supporters include former Labour defence secretary Bob Ainsworth and Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert.Its supporters include former Labour defence secretary Bob Ainsworth and Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert.
Ms Lucas added that much of the debate by MPs on drugs was "knee-jerk" and that many of the public were "far ahead" of politicians, saying: "There's a lot of evidence that prohibition simply isn't working.Ms Lucas added that much of the debate by MPs on drugs was "knee-jerk" and that many of the public were "far ahead" of politicians, saying: "There's a lot of evidence that prohibition simply isn't working.
"We want to get MPs recognising that there is a need for a comprehensive debate.""We want to get MPs recognising that there is a need for a comprehensive debate."
Speaking to BBC News on Thursday, she lauded the report's conclusions and said the UK's drug approach must be driven "by what works, not fear or ideology".Speaking to BBC News on Thursday, she lauded the report's conclusions and said the UK's drug approach must be driven "by what works, not fear or ideology".
Asked what policy implications she drew from the report, she said a "first step might be to decriminalise the personal use of drugs, and see what happens".Asked what policy implications she drew from the report, she said a "first step might be to decriminalise the personal use of drugs, and see what happens".
After a visit to South America earlier this year, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg called for a far-reaching change of approach to drugs policy in the UK, focusing more on treatment rather than punishment.After a visit to South America earlier this year, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg called for a far-reaching change of approach to drugs policy in the UK, focusing more on treatment rather than punishment.
Mr Clegg wants responsibility for drug addiction to be moved from the Home Office to the Department of Health, a move also supported by some Labour MPs.Mr Clegg wants responsibility for drug addiction to be moved from the Home Office to the Department of Health, a move also supported by some Labour MPs.
On his regular LBC radio call-in show, he said "if you are anti-drugs, you should be pro-reform" and accused the Conservatives and Labour of being "behind the curve" on the issue.On his regular LBC radio call-in show, he said "if you are anti-drugs, you should be pro-reform" and accused the Conservatives and Labour of being "behind the curve" on the issue.
He said that if addicts were treated as medical patients rather than criminals, it would "free up resources to allow you to go after the pushers and the criminals".He said that if addicts were treated as medical patients rather than criminals, it would "free up resources to allow you to go after the pushers and the criminals".
But although Norman Baker has responsibility for drugs policy, his boss - Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May - has made clear no major changes are on the agenda, maintaining that existing approaches are working.But although Norman Baker has responsibility for drugs policy, his boss - Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May - has made clear no major changes are on the agenda, maintaining that existing approaches are working.
A Downing Street spokesman said the report made "very clear" that "the government's approach already provides a good balance between enforcement and treatment, drug use is plummeting as a result and there is simply no chance we will entertain such a reckless change of course".A Downing Street spokesman said the report made "very clear" that "the government's approach already provides a good balance between enforcement and treatment, drug use is plummeting as a result and there is simply no chance we will entertain such a reckless change of course".
Mr Clegg said the disagreement between the coalition partners was a "staunch difference of opinion".Mr Clegg said the disagreement between the coalition partners was a "staunch difference of opinion".