"Prepare To Quiz The
Drugs Tsar" On New Cannabis Policy, Urges IoS;
He Backed Legalization Until Taking Office
Independent on Sunday
1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL , England
http://www.independent.co.uk/sindypot/index.htmsundayletters@independent.co.uk
(Ed. note: This article points out a curious fact. When
Hellawell appointment as Blair’s "Drug Tsar" was announced, British
anti-prohibitionists with whom I spoke were enthusiastic about him based on his record. Of
course, when Clinton took office, we were assured that he would make marijuana medically
available. He even talked about abolishing the DEA. It is not too surprising that they
abandon their principles as soon as they get into power. What is surprising is that they
offer such bad reasons for doing so. If we can’t get better officials, at least we
should get better liars.)
See
UK Drug Tsar Blames
Cannabis Campaign As Heroin Floods Market; Marijuana Seizures 15 Times That of Hard
Drugs
26 April 1998
Cannabis campaign - Prepare to quiz the Drugs Tsar
New government proposals are about to be unveiled,
WRITES GRAHAM BALL
Keith Hellawell, the Government’s national anti-drug co-ordinator, is to unveil
his new proposals for controlling cannabis use tomorrow.
Mr Hellawell, the former chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, has spent six months
compiling his guidelines, which have already been presented to Home Office minister George
Howarth and a special cabinet subcommittee.
His proposals are expected to form the basis of the Government’s approach to the
drugs issue for the next three to four years. However, most observers are expecting little
fundamental change from current policy and there is certain to be no
move towards decriminalising cannabis.
Before his appointment as "Drugs Tsar", Mr Hellawell had a reputation for
being a progressive thinker in terms of policing, and liberal in his approach to the drugs
issue in general.
At a special conference of police chiefs he helped organise in
1994, Mr Hellawell backed a move calling for the legalisation of some drugs, including
cannabis. But when he took up his new appointment he took a hard line on drug law reform.
"I have a firm view that I could not support the legalisation of cannabis for
recreational use," he said.
"I have given it long, hard thought. I have looked at
those places where they have tried it as a possible solution and do believe it
is not the answer."
See
Legalize
Marijuana and Reduce Use?
New Survey Puts Estimate of Dutch Marijuana Use Even More Below DEAland
Mr Hellawell also believes cannabis use leads to harder drug
habits, but claims to be "open-minded" on whether or not cannabis should be
allowed for the treatment of various medical conditions.
Supporters of the Independent on Sunday’s campaign to decriminalise cannabis will
have the chance to question the Drugs Tsar on the new government strategy by taking part
in The Drugs Debate on BBC television and radio tomorrow.
A day-long series of programmes culminates in a studio discussion on BBC1 at 10pm with
Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark putting viewers’ questions to Keith Hellawell. The
debate continues on Radio 5 Live at 11.30pm with listeners able to phone in with their
questions on a special free phone number.
"When the Government reports that heroin can cost as little as £2 a time, it is a
source of concern to every family in the country," said Kirsty Wark.
One of the questions the Government’s top drugs adviser may
well face is why he has not advocated the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to
examine all aspects of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.
See
London
Times Calls For A Royal Commission For "A fresh line on drugs" – Major
Defection From Prohibitionism!
Another could be why that law fails adequately to distinguish between users and suppliers
and continues to bracket cannabis - a non-addictive "soft" drug - along with
heroin and crack-cocaine, which are clearly far more dangerous.
 | The BBC has created a special e-mail hotline: drugs@bbc.co.uk,
which will be open all day for viewers and listeners to send in their questions and
opinions. There is also a telephone hotline (0181-752 7750) for those wishing to take part
in the television debate. Anyone wanting to participate in the radio discussion should
dial freephone 0500 909693. |
e-mail your comments to cannabis@independent.co.uk
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