Re: Cannabis policing
Thank you for your email.
This is what our manifesto says about cannabis use:-
2.14 Drugs and Alcohol
2.14.1 English Democrats believe that government should encourage a healthy lifestyle which makes the minimum use of “recreational” drugs of all kinds and only reasonable use of alcohol. The Government’s drug policy is failing to control the use of illegal drugs and its alcohol policy appears to be making the problems worse.
2.14.2 The English Democrats favour an independent, and open minded, English enquiry into alcohol and drug abuse. Medical Cannabis to be available, by prescription, for conditions where it has been approved by the regulatory body of England.
2.14.3 The current policies for dealing with problems of addiction are not working adequately and there is an ever-rising tide of criminality arising from, in particular, drug abuse. Addiction problems are very difficult to solve and require careful analysis. One particularly frustrating aspect of addiction is that family and friends are often aware of the plight of the addicted person but unable to do what is best for them. One area of reform should be greater provision for addicts to be subject to compulsory treatment in secure care.
2.14.4 All those who commit criminal offences whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol should be subject to compulsory assessment and if found to be addicted should immediately be taken into such care.
2.14.5 The most important aspect of the fight against drug dealing criminals is that any policy should seek to destroy their market, protect the public, and punish offenders.
2.14.6 The English Democrats intend to raise gaol sentences for drug dealing in Class A drugs graduating from a fixed five-year term as a minimum doubling it for any subsequent re-offence.
2.14.7 Registered Class A drug addicts will be placed in secure drug rehabilitation schemes rather than sent to prison, where active participation in the detoxification programme will be a requirement of their sentence. Failure to comply with the detoxification programme may result in secure custody within a prison environment as per a graduated tariff based on previous antecedence.
2.14.8 Addicts with children will be put on the ‘at risk’ register and custody of children will be dependent on an addict’s ability to detoxify. Addicts failing to successfully complete detoxification will not have their children returned to them, the rights of the children must be paramount and either familial custody or foster parents will be sought until detoxification has been completed. The return of children will be conditional on regular detoxification checks.
2.14.9 Addicts wishing to seek help for their addiction will be registered at a specific medical centre, one which is outside of the GP network.
2.14.10 The government will provide a dedicated County based Drug Management Service for those who are addicted to Class A drugs. Registration as a drug addict will require regular visits to the centre under a personally structured drugs management programme.
This might include:
2.14.10.1 Maintenance doses of drug to which the person is addicted whilst awaiting to attend a detoxification scheme
2.14.10.2 Provision of supervised medical care and clean syringes to minimise contamination & safe disposal.
2.14.10.3 Maintenance doses for repeatedly defaulting addicts
2.14.10.4 Family Health Visitor Sessions – to ensure children of ex addicts are thriving
2.14.10.5 Employment/Training/Housing referrals and counselling
2.14.10.6 Those who commit criminal offences, and who are found to be using drugs, will be
expected to prove that they were not funding their drug use by their criminal activity. Those who fail to do so will be placed on a drug’s rehabilitation programme and will be detained until they have been free of drug use for 6 months. Upon release, they will be monitored to ensure that they remain drug free and will be re-detained if they fail to do so.
Yours sincerely
Robin Tilbrook