Drugs proposal a ‘crackpot’ idea

Date published: 24 September 2008

Proposals by Oldham Euro MP Chris Davies to legalise all drugs have been slammed by UK Independence Party chairman Paul Nuttall.

“The idea that you will solve the drug problem we have in Britain by simply making them more readily available is nonsense,” said Mr Nuttall. “It will just encourage more people to take drugs because it is legal. This, in turn, will result in more people becoming unemployable, an increase in crime and an even greater drain on the NHS.

“The fact is that the war on drugs is not lost — because it has never properly been fought.

“If we want to solve the drugs problem in this country, we need to build more prisons, make conditions inside harsher and bang up dealers for a very, very long time.

“A clear message needs to be sent out. We won’t tolerate drugs in our society,” added Mr Nuttall.

“Chris Davies thinks that banning drugs has made them more attractive and increased usage.

“But I believe that legalising them for sale would be like throwing open the sweet shop door.

“His proposal would undermine the criminal supply system but what is he suggesting instead? Should the authorities start trading with the Taliban in Afghanistan?”