McKenna backs campaign by MEPs to legalise drugs

Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna is supporting a campaign by more than 100 MEPs to legalise drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis and make heroin available for medicinal purposes.

Ms McKenna believes heroin should be made available to addicts through GPs and believes other so-called softer drugs could be sold by chemists to any adult who wants them.

A total of 108 MEPs has signed a recommendation urging the repeal of the prohibition of drugs in EU member-states. The recommendation will be put to the EU convention on drugs which takes place in Vienna in April, when European drugs policies will be reviewed.

The MEPs believe international efforts to stamp out the trafficking and sale of drugs have simply increased their street value, to the benefit of organised crime.

The recommendation proposes the establishment of a system "of legal control and regulation of production, sale and use of currently illegal substances".

It calls for the repeal and amendment of current EU conventions "with a view to reclassifying substances and legalising the use of drugs for purposes other than medicinal or scientific ones".

It describes current laws as repressive. It also says current drug policy in the EU has lead to the introduction of legislation which restricts individual freedom and civil liberties.

Ms McKenna told The Irish Times she had decided to join the campaign because she believes current legislation outlawing drugs is not working.

"As things stand, a lot of people in this country are taking drugs and the only way they can get them is by going to a criminal," she said.

"I think it is time that we took a look at this issue. The current system simply creates opportunities for drug dealers, it's a mess. People who are going to drug dealers to buy drugs don't even know what they are really taking and I think that is a dangerous situation."

A number of senior figures within the British policing system and Interpol have admitted the pursuit of criminals who deal in drugs such as cannabis is a waste of resources, she said. The current prohibition of drugs is akin to the prohibition of alcohol in the US in the 1920s in that it is as ineffective, she added.

"When you suggest examining our policies towards drugs there are always going to be a lot of knee-jerk reactions. But I really think we need a debate about this. I'm not saying drugs are good and everyone should go out and take them.

"It would all have to be done in a very controlled environment. The proposal doesn't envisage having bars selling drugs or anything like that, and of course they would only be available to adults."

The legalisation of drugs would also have to be accompanied by awareness campaigns, she said.

The proposal was signed by 108 MEPs on December 23rd. It says prohibition is the "true cause" of the damage that the production and sale of drugs inflicts on the economy and public institutions and on the health of the public.

It adds that the main effect of deploying "vast resources to curb trafficking in illegal substances has been a rise in their price which is to the benefit of organised crime networks".