Scotland's top cops have been urged by former officers to “tell the truth” about the “abysmal failure” of the war on drugs.
The no-holds-barred attack on current drug laws saw the Law Enforcement Action Partnership – which represents former officers – warn police that they can’t arrest their way out of Scotland’s current drug deaths crisis.
Members of the Scottish Police Superintendents Association (SPSA) were confronted yesterday by former police inspector Ian Andrew, who is among a growing band of former and serving officers who firmly believe decriminalising drugs is the only way forward.
Andrew told senior officers at an SPSA summit: “Don’t carry on with business-as-usual expounding the myth that the war on drugs can be won.
“I have spoken to members of the force executive who privately agree with our views and who are doing what they can.
“Think about what is said here, do more research, you are the people with the evidence at your fingertips.
“Most importantly, tell the truth. If your troops make a huge seizure, it is great news and they should take pride in a job well done and be lauded for it.
“These seizures cause grief and inconvenience to the criminals involved but do they really make a difference in the overall supply of drugs on their own?
“Or should we be using other proven methods to deny criminals their profits and make that grief even greater?”
Andrew reminded delegates at the online conference of a speech given on the same platform – the Jack Urquhart Memorial Lecture – 13 years ago by the late Lord McCluskey.
The respected law lord told superintendents in 2008: “I am convinced that the current law, based upon the current policy towards drugs, is an abysmal failure.
“We, copying the Americans, have repeatedly declared war on drugs, We, like the USA, have spent – and continue to spend – billions of pounds pursuing the policy that is best described as ‘prohibition’.
“It does not work. It cannot work. It is responsible for the growth of the consumption of dangerous drugs. It is folly on the grandest scale.”
In 2008, our last-reported annual drug deaths stood at 421 – in 2019, they were up to 1264, up almost 300 per cent.
Andrew said: ”Lord McCluskey was an inspiring man and his address to your predecessors is well worth a read.
“On that day, I am sure many who were listening thought he was talking rubbish but others nodded their heads and privately agreed and I’m equally sure that, today, more are nodding than were then. But nothing has changed and nothing will change until people stop nodding and act.”
Andrew stressed that the Scottish Government must stop hiding behind Westminster, adding, “The
politicians won’t act unless they are pressured. This is a hot potato that could lose them votes.
“We know it is a matter presently reserved to Westminster but there are legal avenues to change that if the political will is there and Scottish
politicians can still give wider support for police using diversion options.”
Andrew also questioned why countries with lesser drug problems than Scotland – such as Canada, Denmark and Portugal – have progressive strategies.
Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, president of ASPS, admitted society has been in a phoney war since the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act became law.
He added: “ASPS believes firmly that a renewed focus on new policy development for modern, complex challenges, is a priority for the Scottish Government and all stakeholders.”
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Police Scotland’s drug strategy is based on principles of harm reduction and with the understanding that problematic drug use and substance addiction are complex public health issues.
“We are engaged in ongoing work with partners to ensure those whose lives are affected by drug use receive the appropriate care from health and support services.
“Police Scotland is also duty bound to investigate allegations of criminality. We remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups who cause misery by supplying illegal or controlled drugs, and who selfishly exploit vulnerable people for their own financial gain.”
