DRUGS POLICY

That this House notes that the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy reports that the price of drugs has dropped, whilst their purity and potency has increased; further notes that their findings reinforce Durham Chief Constable Mike Barton's view that prohibition has put billions of pounds into the hands of criminals and that those with drugs misuse problems should be treated and cared for, not criminalised; recognises that these findings offer further proof that the war on drugs has failed and again highlights the need for evidence-based and evidence-led policy; believes that the focus should be on prevention and treatment rather than criminalisation; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the urgent need for drug law reform and as a first step meet with drug treatment providers through the Drugs, Alcohol and Justice Parliamentary Group to consider these concerns.