Euro MP calls from a rethink on drug laws (From Warrington Guardian)

Euro MP calls from a rethink on drug laws

CREWE'S Euro MP is demanding a rethink of Britain's drugs strategy, which he claims is putting billions of pounds into the pockets of criminals and terrorists.

In a report by Tony Blair's special advisor Lord Birt, it was revealed the annual £16billion cost of crime caused by hard drug users to fund their habits in the UK would actually rise if more traffickers were arrested and drug prices rose.

MEP Chris Davies said the dilemma for lawmakers is that the greater the effort made by police and customs officers, the more profitable the illegal business becomes.

He said: "Far from preventing the use of illegal drugs the policy of prohibition creates the profits which drives the growth of the trade.

"It leads to the corruption of our institutions and provides funds for terrorism."

He said the introduction of a legally regulated market in drugs like cannabis and heroin could reduce crime and release huge sums of money for drug awareness schemes.

He added: "I accept that it will not be an easy balance to achieve, but critics should first explain why many decades of criminal sanctions against drugs has simply led to an explosion in their use."