CALL TO DECRIMINALISE DRUGS

SENIOR Liberal Democrats yesterday demanded the party's leadership
consider decriminalising all illegal drugs.

Nick Clegg, the home affairs spokesman, was urged to examine the case
for government-controlled drug outlets in the face of the failure of
the war on narcotics.

Chris Davies, one of the party's senior MEPs and an outspoken
campaigner for decriminalising drugs, told a fringe meeting of party
members in Brighton: "

I hope Nick Clegg will explore this issue again. I know from brief
talks with him he is mindful to do so, but I know he is mindful of
giving ammunition to his opposition."

Mr Davies likened the issue of the war on drugs to the Emperor's new clothes.

"We keep saying 'war on drugs' year in year out, but it achieves
nothing," he said. "It's time to stop pointing and laughing at this
piece of nonsense."

Baroness Walmsley, the Liberal Democrats' education spokeswoman in
the Lords, said: "I think the issue is a no-brainer. We have got to
go along this direction."

She said such a policy would contribute to harm reduction, tackle gun
culture, save police time and reduce drug-related crime.