Call to end war on drugs

Mike Barton, chief constable of Durham police, has said that class A drugs should be decriminalised and drug addicts should be “treated and cared for not criminalised”. Mr Barton wrote in the Observer, arguing that ending the war on drugs will cut crime and provide a system to properly help those who are suffering from drug addiction.

Mr Barton explains how he has seen crime and drug use increase during the 34 years he has been a police officer. He asks if we are really winning the “war on drugs”?

Illegal drugs cause gangland crime

Gangs raise money through the trade of illegal drugs. Without illegal class A drugs many gangs could not sustain themselves.

A controlled environment

Mr Barton wishes to see a change in drug culture to one where people with addictions can receive aid from the state to help them to overcome their addiction. Most people addicted to class A drugs are either “in prison, regularly arrested or dead”.

If addicts could obtain drugs from the NHS and receive treatment and support at the same time, there would be less crime, fewer addicts and fewer deaths caused by drugs.

A Home Office spokesman responded by saying: “The UK’s approach on drugs remains clear: we must help individuals who are dependent by treatment, while ensuring law enforcement protects society by stopping the supply and tackling the organised crime that is associated with the drugs trade.”

Mr Barton, however, believes that the “war on drugs” has failed. The supply has not reduced and criminal gangs are still in control.