Greens vote for legalisation and regulation of drugs.
The Scottish Greens autumn conference has voted overwhelmingly to support the legalisation and regulations of drugs and an evidence-based and compassionate approach to drug use.
The policy, which was developed in consultation with experts and individuals with lived experience of drug related harm, calls for the regulation of drugs to reduce the harms associated with drug use, production and supply.
The policy welcomes the positive difference made by safe consumption rooms and calls for them to be expanded. It also includes support for the controlled prescription of drugs and for drug safety testing that will be made available in town and city centres and at festivals.
This policy now positions the Scottish Green Party as the toughest on crime, removing power from organised criminals, and bringing it back into public hands.
Legal regulation of drugs is the evidence based response to the growing threat of violence and child exploitation from organised crime.
The Policy was introduced by Shetland Branch co-convenor Amy Garrick-Wright alongside Green Cllr Alex Armitage, who is also a consultant paediatrician in Shetland.
Cllr Alex Armitage said:
“I am glad that our conference has voted so overwhelmingly for such an urgent, pragmatic and evidence-based approach to drug use. Scotland is the worst affected country in Europe for drug related harm, and we urgently need to change what we are doing to address it.
“The war on drugs has failed. Politicians who tell us that prohibition works are deluded - the idea that we can arrest our way out of drug-related harm is a complete fantasy.
“I am a consultant paediatrician who specialised in children's emergency medicine. I've seen far too many vulnerable teenagers brought into A&E with stab wounds from getting caught up in drug related violence - that's a big part of why I brought this motion and why I'm so motivated to reform our broken and badly outdated drugs laws.
“Human beings have always used drugs and we should get rid of failed policies that are based on moralising and punishment. People who get into trouble with addiction need medical and psychological support, not a criminal record.
“I hope that other parties will consider their approach and that we can build a compassionate system that offers support rather than stigma.”
The motion was supported by the party’s spokesperson for drugs, Maggie Chapman.
Maggie said:
“It is obvious that the War on Drugs has failed. Our appalling drugs deaths numbers tell us this. Instead of criminalising those who need support and care - an approach we know doesn’t work, we can choose a different approach.
“This well-evidenced policy does this, while freeing up valuable resources to spend on rehabilitation and recovery that has compassion and care at its heart."