Is jail failing? Why punishing drug abuse 'does not deter users'

A new report has revealed that punishing drug abuse may not actually deter users.

By Dave Lancaster |

17:03 30 October 2014

Britain is at "a historic moment in the development of UK drug policy", according to a new report that has concluded that punishing drug users may not actually deter them from future use.

The report from the Home Office came after Liberal Democrat politician Nick Clegg challenged the prime minister to consider the idea of not enforcing jail terms for possession also legalising milder drugs.

Danny Kushlick, founder of the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, echoed Clegg when he said: "For the first time in over 40 years the Home Office has admitted that enforcing tough drug laws doesn't necessarily reduce levels of drug use.

"It has also acknowledged that decriminalising the possession of drugs doesn't increase levels of use."

The Home Office studied different methods of criminal intervention towards drugs in several countries from those who punish heavily and those who have nearly decriminalised possession and discovered that the severity of government policy had little effect.

However, sources at Number 10 were less enthused. In a statement picked up by Channel 4, a spokesman said: "This report provides no support whatsoever for the Lib Dem's policy of decriminalisation. In fact, it clearly states that it would be inappropriate to draw those kind of conclusions.

"The Lib Dem policy would see drug dealers getting off scot-free and send an incredibly dangerous message to young people about the risks of taking drugs."