I am a former member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and I believe a paradigm shift is needed when it comes to illegal drugs - Dr Jason Aldiss

It is imperative that we acknowledge the evidence of these policy failures and consider a paradigm shift towards the legalisation, regulation, and taxation of all currently illegal drugs.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 underpins the UK's drug policy, establishing criminal offences for activities related to controlled substances. However, this approach has not curtailed drug misuse or its associated harms. Reports indicate that illegal drugs cost society £20bn per year, with drug-related crime constituting nearly £10bn of these costs. This substantial expenditure has not yielded the desired outcomes, as drug-related deaths and usage rates continue to rise.

Criminalising drug use has also filled our prisons with non-violent drug offenders, a strain on the criminal justice system that diverts resources from addressing serious crime.

Prisons are often rife with drugs that are difficult to control, and the environment itself can perpetuate drug habits and increase recidivism. Furthermore, the criminal drug trade fuels gang activity, street violence, and corruption, with devastating consequences for communities. These issues highlight the futility of our current punitive approach.

The prohibition of drugs has also led to the proliferation of dangerous, unregulated substances. Without legal oversight, users often encounter adulterated drugs, resulting in preventable fatalities. By legalising and regulating the production and distribution of drugs, we can ensure quality control, reducing the incidence of overdoses and poisonings. This approach aligns with harm reduction strategies endorsed by public health experts, ensuring that people who use drugs have access to safer, uncontaminated products.

Moreover, the funds currently allocated to enforcement could be redirected towards education, healthcare, and the establishment of safe consumption spaces. These initiatives have demonstrated efficacy in reducing harm and supporting recovery.

International examples further illustrate the benefits of reform. Portugal’s decriminalisation of all drugs in 2001 led to significant declines in drug-related deaths, HIV infection rates, and other public health challenges related to drug use.

Meanwhile, countries that have legalised cannabis have observed reductions in illicit market activity and increased tax revenues, which are reinvested into public services, such as mental health programmes and addiction treatment.

Alcohol prohibition in the United States in the 1920s, as well as the ongoing struggle to control the tobacco industry, provide historical lessons on the failures of prohibitionist approaches.

Legalising, regulating and taxing all drugs would undermine the illegal market, reduce the violence and crime associated with drug trafficking, and provide a stream of revenue for essential public services.

In conclusion, the current strategy has not achieved its intended goals and has, in many respects, exacerbated the problem. A regulated and taxed drug market, coupled with robust support systems, presents a more effective solution to the complex challenges posed by drug misuse.

Dr Jason Aldiss BEM is the former chair of Pudsey Conservative Association.