General Assembly feedback
Invited to comment on just one item I chose the talk at the Penal Affairs slot, on drugs. Please read the article in The Inquirer. The excellent speaker was Steve Rolles, Head of Research for the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, an educational charity which aims to change UK's drug policies. His organisation, advocates legalising drugs, thereby doing away with users obtaining drugs from illegal sources. He considered this would be cost effective and ensure sensible care for drug users. Costs would be saved on seeking out illegal suppliers, and users, and committal to prison, where it is well recorded prisoners access drugs anyway, He speaker likened the current situation with drugs in the UK, with the 1920's/1930's period of "Prohibition" of alcohol in the United States. Instead of achieving the aim intended, gangsterism flourished to supply illegal alcohol. A century or so earlier, in the UK, smuggling was rife to evade what were considered to be crippling rates of duty.
His address to some 75 delegates started with a survey taken by electronic handsets of delegates existing knowledge and attitude to drugs, to see if their views changed after his presentation.
The speaker, on behalf of his organisation, advocated legalising drugs, thereby doing away with users obtaining drugs from illegal sources. He considered this would be cost effective and ensure sensible care for drug users. Costs would be saved on seeking out illegal suppliers, and users, and commital to prison, where it is well recorded prisoners access drugs anyway.
Further reading
1. The Inquirer article of 20th May 2010
2. Penal Affairs Panel; Issues Paper No 11 "Illicit Drugs" on the General Assembly website.
3 "After the War on Drugs" by Steve Rolles or from Amazon.
Many of those present recorded a change of knowledge and attitude following the talk. Sadly, it was felt media pressure, and lack of public awareness, would inhibit any government from taking the changes necessary. Much to think about.
Bernard Omar
