Home Secretary Blunkett's statement to parliament 10.07.02

The home secretary's statement to the House of Commons on the re-classification of cannabis.

"With permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement in responding to the Home Affairs Select Committee report on drugs.

In doing so, I wish to make it clear that I will publish a substantial update of the 1998 drugs strategy this autumn.

On 23 October, in my evidence to the Select Committee, I laid out a number of key themes which are reflected in the Committee's report.

I am grateful for the excellent work which the chairman and members of the Committee have done and to all those who have assisted both the Committee and myself, including my drugs unit.

Mr Speaker, could I also thank the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and the many agencies and authoritative bodies who have contributed.

I cannot imagine that there is a member of this House who does not wish to ensure that those we represent are free from the misery that is caused by drug abuse. Class A drugs are the scourge of our time, and are potential killers.

Over the last 30 years the huge increase in the use of drugs, particularly hard drugs, has caused untold damage to the health, life chances and wellbeing of individuals. This has undermined family life, fuelled criminality and damaged communities.

The estimated social and economic costs of drug misuse are well in excess of £10 billion a year.

Around three quarters of crack and heroin users claim to be committing crime to feed their habit.

Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the considerable progress made by my predecessors. I am also grateful to the Secretary of State for Health for the announcement we are able to make today for an additional investment, which will total £183 million over the next three years, for treatment services and harm minimisation.

The numbers entering treatment have increased by an average of 8% each year since 1998.

In 2000 seizures worth £780m were made. Last year 3.4 tonnes of heroin and 10.9 tonnes of cocaine were seized exceeding targets.

Today I wish to inform the House of the overall directions of the review of the drugs strategy and the Committee's report.

There will be an increased focus on Class A drugs. The message is clear. Drugs are dangerous. We will educate, persuade, and where necessary direct, young people away from their use. we will not legalise or decriminalise any drug, nor do we envisage a time when this would be appropriate.

As recommended by the Committee there will be a better focus on those whose drug addiction causes the most harm to themselves and to society. Those described as problematic drug users.

In the last two years, we have established the National Treatment Agency and invested more than half a billion pounds. We have begun to fill the gaps in services for crack addicts.

We will continue the rapid expansion of referral for treatment of offenders.

We accept that expansion in managed prescribing for the most appropriate cases of heroin addiction will be necessary. The right treatment for the right patient.

But more than treatment is required. Aftercare and rehabilitation must become part of the package of care for those leaving treatment, or from prison.

Harm minimisation will be given greater priority. But in the form in which the term is normally used, we are not persuaded that shooting galleries would, at this moment be helpful.

We will use the powers in the proceeds of crime bill to confiscate the assets of those whose lifestyle depends on the misery of others and target the regional or "middle" drug markets.

Mr Speaker, we will clamp down on the dealers who prey on the young.

We will increase the sentences for trafficking and dealing in Class B and C drugs to 14 years. This will avoid mixed messages to those dealing in more than one drug, and will establish a lead in European-wide discussions. But we do not agree that it is necessary to introduce a supply for gain offence. We will support parents and families to help them cope with the effects of addiction. In line with the committee's recommendation we will ensure that carers and families are involved in the development of services.

Mr Speaker, we will launch an education campaign targeted at young people with the message that all drugs are harmful and Class A drugs are killers. We are not persuaded that ecstasy should be downgraded; it can kill.

However, the message to young people and families must be open, honest and believable. That is why I asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to review the classification of cannabis.

They have recommended that the current classification is disproportionate in relation to harmfulness and the nature of other controlled drugs. They were clear, and so am I, that cannabis is a potentially harmful drug and should remain illegal. However, it is not comparable with crack, heroin, or ecstasy.

They were clear, that greater differentiation between drugs which kill and drugs that cause harm, would be both scientifically justified and educationally sensible.

Mr Speaker, I have considered this advice along with the recommendations of the Home Affairs Committee. I have taken account of the Metropolitan police experiment in Lambeth which has seen a 10% increase in the arrest of Class A drug dealers.

The Metropolitan police will today announce that the pilot will be adjusted and will be applicable across London in the months ahead.

I can tell the House that I will seek to reclassify cannabis as a Class C drug by July of next year.

Mr Speaker, let me be clear, cannabis possession remains a criminal offence. I am determined that the police are able to control the streets and uphold order. They will be able to arrest for possession where public order is threatened or where children are at risk.

The Association of Chief Police Officers will shortly issue national guidance to ensure that in the vast majority of cases officers will confiscate the drug and issue a warning. police time saved will be refocused on Class A drug dealing.

Where communities are strong, drugs do not take hold. Drug related crime and disorder devastate communities. That is why last year we launched the communities against drugs fund to provide £220 million over three years to enable communities to become part of the solution.

It is the vulnerable who succumb to drugs. Statutory and voluntary agencies, families and communities, all have a role to play in protecting them.

Mr Speaker, through education, harm minimisation, treatment, and tough action against dealers and traffickers, we have a winning strategy. It will require positive commitment, rather than grandstanding.

Last October I called for a mature and intelligent debate. I hope this is what we can continue to have.

I hope in moving this statement today, we continue that sensible approach to a difficult and sensitive issue. I commend the statement to the House."