Should We Jail People For Possessing Illegal Drugs?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2719637/Don-t-jail-people-possession-drugs-personal-use-Class-A-substances-like-heroin-cocaine-says-Clegg.html

/// 'If there was evidence that banging them up works then all their misplaced tough talk would be justified. But it does not work.' ///

Perhaps not for all, but it give some a lesson on the error of their ways, and how many would be persuaded to carry drugs, if they knew that all they were going to get was a 'slap on the wrist'?

[ummmm]

I didn't realise people were jailed for possession for personal use.

[retrocop]

Mr Clegg in his wisdom says we should'nt criminalise persons in possession of illegal drugs.He seems to believe it is not a criminal problem to possess or use illegal drugs.It still would be a legal problem for suppliers/pushers though so it seems,in a perverse way,he is condoning the supply of illegal drugs.We know what happens between drug gangs in this country.Black on Black killings.The need for Operation Trident etc.Then we have the crimes of theft,burglary and muggings by the users and abusers to fund their habits.NO illegal drugs in this country for users or suppliers.It is known that prescription supplied methodone is over prescribed to junkies so they sell on their surplus to others to buy crack or other muck.Drugs used illegally means crime and should remain so.NOT a NHS problem.If treatment to stop is required then cold turkey should be always available.God help our future kids with government ministers with the mindset of Clegg et al.

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm

/// More than 1,000 people a year in England and Wales are jailed for possession of drugs for their own personal use. ///

[ummmm]

I didn't know that. I thought they just got confiscated.

[mikey4444]

How can we try to stop and control the spread of killer drugs like Heroin if people can walk around all day with some in their pockets saying that they are for their own use only ?

I am continually being told I don't understand drug addicts but I have always thought that addicts cut and share their drugs with other addicts, as a way of paying for their own addiction ?

Of course they should be dealt with by the law. Whether jailing them is the answer is quite another thing altogether. What addicts need is help to get clean, so Cleggie may have a point here after all.