QC calls for legalisation of all drugs

Donald Findlay QC said legalising narcotics such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis was the only way to "break the link" between users and dealers.

The advocate also attacked politicians and the Scottish Executive for failing to get to grips with the problem of drug abuse, accusing them of fostering a "tough on crime" image rather than looking for radical solutions.

However, politicians last night hit back at Mr Findlay, describing him as "irresponsible".

The Executive also denied Mr Findlay’s claims, pointing to a raft of recent policies to tackle drug abuse.

Mr Findlay, who last week attacked the Executive’s policy on crime, said: "Drugs is a huge issue and there is no question that what drugs do to families and communities is the biggest problem that we have had in recent years, and it is a problem that politicians just will not tackle.

"Since the mid-1980s we have had drug offences. It is now more than 20 years on and the problem is continuing to grow.

"From the law’s point of view, there has to be much more effort to break the cycle, and I really think we should be having a proper look at legalising drugs. You have got to try something to get people away from the dealers."

Mr Findlay said simply decriminalising cannabis did not go far enough.

He said: "If you are going to look at it sensibly, I think you say the proposition has to be that we simply legalise them all and argue from that standpoint, unless you can find good reason not to legalise particular drugs, as opposed to saying, ‘let’s try cannabis and see how we get on with that’."

Mr Findlay, one of Scotland’s most high-profile criminal lawyers, went on to call for drug use to be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal matter.

"People have always taken drugs since Moses was a boy, so surely it is better to control and look after people’s health and well-being, rather than simply punishing those who break the law and provide minimal help for those who want help to get away from their addiction.

"The law is as it was 20 years ago and I have thought for a long time that we have to improve the resources available to help people with drug problems."

Annabel Goldie, the justice spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservative Party, said the problem was not politicians talking tough, but the failure of courts to "act tough".

She said: "For the past six years, we have had mixed messages from the Executive on drugs rather than concerted action, a simple message and being tough on those who deal in death.

"The problem is not politicians talking tough, it is the justice system failing to put tough action into practice."

Michael Matheson, the deputy justice spokesman for the SNP, insisted legalising all drugs would send the wrong message to society.

He said: "It would be irresponsible to legalise all drugs, but there is a clear need for political consensus on the issue.

"The Executive needs to find a common approach so the problem of drug misuse is tackled effectively, and I don’t believe that is happening at the moment."

However, a spokesman for the Executive said drug misuse was seen as one of the most serious problems facing Scotland and was therefore a "top priority" for ministers.

"Our drugs strategy covers prevention, education, treatment and care, and balances enforcement measures with action to reduce demand," he said.

"We are supporting better drug education for children, police action to target the dealers, help for many more drug mis-users to beat their addiction and new ideas like drug courts, which tackle the link between drugs and crime."

Last week, Mr Findlay launched a broadside at the Executive’s crime policy, accusing it of underfunding both the police and the courts.

He said politicians "talked tough" on crime to win votes, but then failed to deliver because other spending priorities, such as health and education, were more popular with voters.