OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP POLICY BASED ON EVIDENCE

On Saturday the Portuguese prime minister announced to a worldwide gathering
of drug addiction professionals that a bill would be introduced shortly in
the Portuguese parliament to depenalise the consumption of some illegal
drugs and increase resources for health care. He said this was no
liberalisation measure but rather an effective means to respond to a growing
social problem. The Portuguese government is implementing the findings of a
commission they established to look at such matters.

Next month in Britain the police foundation's independent inquiry will
report. I hope it will pose three challenges to our political leaders: what
evidence is there that having an informed debate on drug policy and
associated laws sends wrong messages to young people; where is the evidence
that the use of cannabis is a causal factor or gateway to "later more
dependent drug use"; why do we persist. in responding to dependent drug use
primarily as a criminal matter rather than as a major public health concern?

This government rightly says it will develop policies based on evidence. It
will now have the opportunity to do this in relation to drugs.

Roger Howard
Chief Executive,
Standing Conference on Drug Abuse