The good news about the Drug War is that the police know it can’t be won. The bad news is that the politicians, judging by their public pronouncements at least, still seem to think it can. There are times when I think it’s important to question some of the assumptions made about policing; but when the police have the good sense to agree with me it’s only proper to acknowledge the excellent work they’re doing. So huzzahs for the UK Drug Policy Commission whose latest report the Times summarises thus:
Police should switch their focus away from arresting drug dealers and concentrate on managing the harm they cause, according to an influential report. The UK Drug Policy Commission says new dealers take the place of those arrested and often bring new problems such as violent turf wars. The report calls for the authorities to admit that if they cannot eradicate drug markets they should reduce the damage drugs inflict on local communities.
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