Martyn Jones MP calls for a full debate on drugs

11th October 2007

Martyn Jones MP today expressed his support for the courage of North Wales’ Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom in exploring the matter of drug legalisation.

28% of British adults (Over the age of 16) have used an illegal drug.
Drug use is responsible for 85% of shoplifting, 70% of burglaries and 54% of robberies.
Prison population in the UK is approximately 81,000, of which over three quarters are in jail on drug caused or drug related offences.

In a brief statement the Clwyd South MP stated;

“The Chief Constable and I have had our disagreements about practically every issue but when it comes to drugs policy no avenue should be left unexplored. Drug use and drug addiction are a scourge on our society causing vast amounts of crime. We should not rule out any routes to tackle this serious problem.

Mr Brunstrom has shown commendable courage by exploring this method of tackling the British drug problem and it is my hope that no one dismisses his attempt at opening up the debate by resorting to moralistic dogma.

It is not my intention to lend support to any particular method of tackling the drug crisis, which the British justice system currently faces. But what can be said is that the current method is not working.

What I do know is that a full debate will be required if any victory is to be won at the expense of the drug lords, drug dealers and drug traffickers. A full debate includes the issue of legalisation.”