New approach needed to deal with drugs
8th November 2007
Children seeking treatment for drugs in Suffolk is up by over 28% in the past year, according to government statistics. This is a matter of great concern and an indictment of government policies.
Dear Sir
Children seeking treatment for drugs in Suffolk is up by over 28% in the past year, according to government statistics. This is a matter of great concern and an indictment of government policies.
A new approach is needed. Drug related crime and those requiring hospital treatment after taking illegal drugs has increased by 300% in the past decade with 40,000 NHS admissions being drug related in 2006.
The following action is needed:
- Better drugs education in schools
- The reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug
- Better treatment programmes, including more residential programmes, instead of methadone-based community schemes
- A dedicated UK Border Police Force to reduce the amount of drugs coming into the country
- Tougher sentences for drug pushers
Hundreds of thousands of young lives have been ruined and tackling this epidemic must be a top priority. It is to be regretted that the Government missed the opportunity in the Queen's Speech to do this.
Peter Aldous
