When I hear Scottish Labour justice spokesman, Graeme Pearson, refer to the need to "choke off supply" I despair. He seems to be under the impression that the "War on Drugs" is an experimental approach whose efficacy has yet to be tested, rather than a project with a decades-long record of very costly failure.
The novelty here is the fact that Pearson's response is an exception to British Labour in Scotland's usual knee-jerk disagreement with the SNP administration. Although I'm not sure there is anything like complete agreement between the two, Pearson has managed to resist the Bain Principle imperative which would normally have had him taking a position diametrically opposed to the hated SNP. Well done him!
The statement from the Scottish Government spokesperson inspires slightly less despair. Although I am with Kenny McAskill on the issue of decriminalisation of drugs, I accept that the SNP would have to be sure they could carry the party with them on such a contentious issue. They must also be aware that the slightest hint of a will to reform drugs legislation will be seized upon by British nationalists and portrayed as a dastardly SNP plot to turn Scotland into a hotbed of drug-fuelled depravity.
Not that anyone would notice. At this time of year they're likely to be distracted bu all the drink-fuelled depravity that is perfectly legal.
Ireland appears to be leading the way on decriminalisation of certain drugs.
ReplyDeleteOur tax money could be better spent by law enforcement than having to arrest people for possession and anything which helps to reduce the criminal activities associated with the trade must be welcome.