Authorities in the UK are considering a proposal that would see first-time cocaine and cannabis offenders offered education or treatment programs instead of prosecution.
The proposal aims to steer individuals who have committed low-level drug offences away from criminal punishments and more towards rehabilitative approaches.
Similar methods are already used in 14 of the 43 police forces across England and Wales for first-time drug offences, and have been shown to be effective in supporting individuals to overcome their drug use.
First-time offenders will avoid a criminal record, however, should they fail to take part in education and treatment programmes they will ultimately face prosecution.
Alternative approaches
The UK’s drug laws are currently some of the strictest in Europe. However, there is growing recognition that criminalising drug use is ineffective in reducing drug-related harms.
Rather, a more targeted and rehabilitative approach is required to address the root cause of drug-related harms and addictions.
Read: 7 Ways Harm Reduction Works When It Comes To Drugs
If the policy is to be used nationwide, the UK would be alongside countries like Portugal, which redirects those caught with small amounts of drugs to education or rehabilitation programmes, avoiding criminal charges.
The proposal to offer education or treatment programs to first-time drug offenders appears to be a step in the right direction.
It acknowledges that many individuals who take drugs do so as a result of underlying issues, such as mental health problems or trauma, and addressing these issues instead of penalising them is a more effective way to reduce harmful drug use.
Going against Government officials
Former deputy chief constable, Jason Harwin, who is also working with the College of Policing on the new policy, said:
“We should not criminalise someone for possession of drugs. It should be a diversion to other services to give them a chance to change their behaviours.”
But earlier this year, the Government released a blueprint which, if approved, would see recreational drug consumers disqualified from driving, banned from travelling, or electronically drug tagged.
A spokesperson from the Home Office said:
“Drugs ruin lives and devastate communities which is why the Government is committed to tackling both the supply and demand for drugs, as set out in the 10-year drug strategy.
“Our White Paper on new, tougher penalties for drug possession set out proposals for tackling demand and we have welcomed views on this. We will be publishing our response in due course.”
But Jasin Harwin, the former NPCC lead on drugs made comments on the Governments new proposals saying that they were too ‘rigid’.
He also mentioned that punishments such as confiscating passports, and drug tagging would make punishments for recreational drug consumers much tougher than those who burgle homes.
Sign up to our newsletter below for more UK cannabis news, reviews, guides and insider tips…
