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On the 50th Anniversary of the Misuse of Drugs Act, cross-party MPs demand reform of UK drug laws

• New analysis shows that since 1971, drug-related deaths have risen by more than 30-fold; heroin use increased 25-fold; cannabis use has risen by over four-fold

• Over 50 MPs and Peers have signed a statement calling for reform

• Charities, bereaved families, ex-police, public health experts and scientists speak out

• All-Party Parliamentary Group and Cross-Party Group to meet on 26th May, the eve of the 50th anniversary

27th May 2021 marks 50 years since the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 received Royal Assent. This pivotal anniversary has spurred charities, senior scientists, ex-police, public health specialists, bereaved family members, and over 50 MPs and Peers from all parties to sign a statement calling for the Government to urgently review the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The joint statement says:

“The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) is not fit for purpose. For 50 years, it has failed to reduce drug consumption. Instead it has increased harm, damaged public health and exacerbated social inequalities.

Change cannot be delayed any longer. We need reform and new legislation to ensure that future drug policy protects human rights, promotes public health and ensures social justice.”

According to the latest Home Office review, the annual cost of drug enforcement in England alone is £1.4 billion yet the UK currently has one of the highest drug-related deaths rates in Europe.

New data analysis by leading drug reform charity, Transform Drug Policy Foundation shows that since 1971, the Misuse of Drugs Act, or the ‘War on Drugs’ has failed to reduce harms or protect people (Full data analysis and sources available on request).

In England and Wales alone:

• Annual drug-related deaths in England and Wales have risen from under 100 to 2883 - an increase of almost 3,000%

• Heroin use has increased from under 10,000 people to over 250,000 an increase of 2,400%

• Cannabis use has increased from around half a million people to over 2.5 million - an increase of 400%

• Cocaine seizures have increased from around 6kg a year to over 4,000kg a year, more than a 600-fold increase, but the UK still has the highest rate of cocaine use in Europe (5.3% of young adults using cocaine in the last year)
  
  

MPs from across the political spectrum are making the case for reform, and highlighting the failure of the Misuse of Drugs Act to fulfil its primary purpose of protecting UK citizens against the harms of drugs:

“The Misuse of Drugs Act is hopelessly outdated and in need of urgent reform and change. Drugs policy should no longer be seen through the narrow prism of the criminal justice system but as a health issue, so that we can ensure those with drug dependence can get better access to the help and support they need.”
Dr Dan Poulter MP (Conservatives)

“The Misuse of Drugs Act was supposed to eradicate drug use, reduce harm, and keep people safe. But since 1971, drug use has risen dramatically in the UK, decent people have been needlessly criminalised and had their lives destroyed, those struggling with addictions have been stigmatised and punished, thousands of children have fallen victim to trafficking and exploitation at the hands of criminal gangs, and we are in the midst of a devastating drug-related deaths crisis.”

Jeff Smith MP (Labour)

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy and the Cross Party Group on Alcohol, Drugs and Justice will meet on 26th May to mark the 50 year anniversary and discuss options for reform. An Early Day Motion has been tabled to coincide with the meeting calling on Government to be led by the science, and recognise the overwhelming evidence that the current system is not working.

Journalists wishing to join the APPG meeting should email alex.worrell@parliament.uk

People who have been personally bereaved are also speaking out. Members of the Anyone’s Child campaign are adding their voices to the call for urgent reform:

“I lost my two sons on the same night after they took ecstasy of unknown purity and strength. It’s time to accept drug use exists across society and find ways to make it safer. Why does the government ignore the evidence?”
Ray Lakeman (Member of Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control)

Journalists wishing to speak to members of the Anyone’s Child campaign should email the campaign manager Jane Slater (jane@transformdrugs.org).

Transform Drug Policy Foundation, Release, DrugScience, Law Enforcement Action Partnership and family members of the Anyone’s Child campaign are leading a coalition of civil society organisations calling for an urgent review and meaningful debate on the effectiveness of the current approach:

“The whole purpose of the Act was to create drug policy based on evidence. That goal has never been realised, which is reason enough for a review.”

Professor David Nutt (Imperial College London)

“The Misuse of Drugs Act has been a disaster. In the 50 years since it was introduced, we have seen both use and deaths rise dramatically. The UK now has the highest drug deaths in Europe, and the situation continues to get worse.

“The Government’s recent review of drug markets sets out this failure in detail, and confirms that it cannot be resolved simply through more policing. We need to start a debate now to finally break the deadlock.”

Dr James Nicholls, (Chief Executive Officer, Transform Drug Policy)

“After 50 years of failure, we need urgent reform of our drugs policy. The current criminal justice approach has resulted in hundreds of thousands of (mainly) young people being criminalised, has disproportionately impacted on Black and minority communities and those living in deprived areas, and has contributed to tens of thousands of drug-related deaths. It is time for reform in order to save lives and protect our young people."

Niamh Eastwood (Executive Director of Release UK)

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. FULL SUPPORTING QUOTES:

Dr James Nicholls (Chief Executive Officer, Transform Drug Policy Foundation):

“The Misuse of Drugs Act has been a disaster. In the 50 years since it was introduced, we have seen both use and deaths rise dramatically. The UK now has some of the highest drug deaths in Europe, and the situation continues to get worse.

At the same time, countless lives have either been lost, or ruined through needless and damaging criminalisation. The Government’s recent review of drug markets sets out this failure in detail, and confirms that it cannot be resolved simply through more policing.

More than 50 MPs and Peers have now called for reform, and we know that a great many more agree but feel unable to speak out on this issue. This will not continue for another 50 years. We need to start a debate now to finally break the deadlock.”

Ray Lakeman, Campaigner with Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control:

“I lost my two sons on the same night after they took ecstasy of unknown purity and strength. It’s time to accept drug use exists across society and find ways to make it safer. Those of us in the Anyone's Child campaign know about those measures - including legally regulating drugs. Why does the government ignore the evidence? Behind each figure there was a real person, a person who once had hopes and dreams - as did my two sons who were killed by illegal ecstasy - but they are treated as if their lives were just collateral damage in the government's 50 year old drug war. I am so sad for all the families who are left in grief.

Dr Dan Poulter MP (Conservatives):
“The Misuse of Drugs Act is hopelessly outdated and in need of urgent reform and change. Drugs policy should no longer be seen through the narrow prism of the criminal justice system but as a health issue, so that we can ensure those with drug dependence can get better access to the help and support they need.”

Jeff Smith MP (Labour):
“The Misuse of Drugs Act was supposed to eradicate drug use, reduce harm, and keep people safe. But since 1971, drug use has risen dramatically in the UK, decent people have been needlessly criminalised and had their lives destroyed, those struggling with addictions have been stigmatised and punished, thousands of children have fallen victim to trafficking and exploitation at the hands of criminal gangs, and we are in the midst of a devastating drug-related deaths crisis.

After 50 years of failure, we urgently need a new approach that’s rooted in the evidence of how best to protect individuals and our communities from harm. I’m pleased to support this important campaign and would urge all my colleagues in Parliament to do the same.”

Professor David Nutt (Imperial College London):

“The whole purpose of the Act was to create drug policy based on evidence. That goal has never been realised, which is reason enough for a review.

“Of course, the damage done in terms of limiting treatment and research is incalculable. We need the world, and especially politicians, to realise this act should be changed. Any change would be massively beneficial to communities, patients and research.”

Niamh Eastwood (Executive Director of Release UK):

“After 50 years of failure, we need urgent reform of our drugs policy. The current criminal justice approach has resulted in hundreds of thousands of (mainly) young people being criminalised, has disproportionately impacted on Black and minority communities and those living in deprived areas, and has contributed to tens of thousands of drug-related deaths.

Other countries have ended criminal sanctions for drug possession offences and as a result, have seen better health, social, and economic outcomes - including significantly lower rates of death. It is time for reform in order to save lives and protect our young people.”

Neil Woods (ex-police officer and author of Good Cop, Bad War:

“The Act has not reduced crime. On the contrary it has grown and empowered Organised Crime to the point where children are exploited to sell drugs. It has caused a breach between communities and police, and criminalised countless vulnerable people. Sir Robert Peel is turning in his grave. Time for a drug policy which is both fit for the 21st century and fits the original policing principles from 1829.”

2. For more information on the “50 Years of the Misuse of Drugs Act: Time for Change” campaign visit transformdrugs.org

Transform Drug Policy Foundation is a charity working to promote public health, social justice and human rights through drug policy reform. We believe the legal regulation of drugs is essential to achieving these goals.

• We provide evidence and information to the public, policymakers, charities and institutions worldwide.

• To maintain our independence we do not take funds from organisations that might profit from the sale of psychoactive substances.

Contacts:

Ben Campbell, Communications Manager, 07377 649474 ben@transformdrugs.org