Menu
30/07/2008
Drugs' Seizures May Have 'Negative' Impact
The UK's illegal drugs market is proving to be "extremely resilient" in the face of continuing, targeted police action.
According to a new report, police crackdowns could actually have a negative effect on the problem.
The report, 'Tackling Drug Markets and Distribution Networks in the UK' said that "a key policy issue is to recognise and minimise the unintended consequences of drug law enforcement efforts.
"These activities can have a significant negative impact on the nature and extent of harms associated with drugs by increasing threats to public health and community safety.
"There needs to be a much greater emphasis on establishing measurable outcomes which focus on harm reduction," it said.
The findings - authored by the UK Drug Policy Commission - said that drug markets are "highly fluid and adapt to law enforcement interventions".
These latest figures (for 2003/04), estimate the size of the illicit drug market to be £5.3 billion, considered to pose "the single greatest organised crime threat to the UK".
The report noted that a quarter of the total cost of delivering the drug strategy has been dedicated to reducing supply, but, despite the large sums of money being spent tackling the problem insisted that, "traditional police tactics were not working".
In spite of recording that the number of Class A drug seizures in England and Wales "more than doubled" between 1996 and 2005, most seizures of heroin (74%), crack (70%) and cocaine (61%) in 2005 were in fact less than one gram in weight.
The report also referred to findings that since 2000, average street prices in the UK have actually fallen consistently for heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.
David Blakey, of the UK Drug Policy Commission said that enforcement agencies "tended to be judged by the amount they had managed to capture".
However, a Home Office spokesperson said "the Government agrees that enforcement in isolation is not effective".
Seizures were only part of the Government's approach to tackling drugs and that many of the report's recommendations "are already being implemented".
"Our drugs strategy encompasses enforcement, prevention, education and treatment," a spokesperson said.
In conclusion, the report said that the proportion of adults in England and Wales reporting any drug use during the previous year has fallen since 1995 (by 1.8%) and the use of Class A drugs has remained stable (increasing by 0.3%) and the use of powder cocaine has increased during this period (by 1.7%).
(DS)(BMcC)
According to a new report, police crackdowns could actually have a negative effect on the problem.
The report, 'Tackling Drug Markets and Distribution Networks in the UK' said that "a key policy issue is to recognise and minimise the unintended consequences of drug law enforcement efforts.
"These activities can have a significant negative impact on the nature and extent of harms associated with drugs by increasing threats to public health and community safety.
"There needs to be a much greater emphasis on establishing measurable outcomes which focus on harm reduction," it said.
The findings - authored by the UK Drug Policy Commission - said that drug markets are "highly fluid and adapt to law enforcement interventions".
These latest figures (for 2003/04), estimate the size of the illicit drug market to be £5.3 billion, considered to pose "the single greatest organised crime threat to the UK".
The report noted that a quarter of the total cost of delivering the drug strategy has been dedicated to reducing supply, but, despite the large sums of money being spent tackling the problem insisted that, "traditional police tactics were not working".
In spite of recording that the number of Class A drug seizures in England and Wales "more than doubled" between 1996 and 2005, most seizures of heroin (74%), crack (70%) and cocaine (61%) in 2005 were in fact less than one gram in weight.
The report also referred to findings that since 2000, average street prices in the UK have actually fallen consistently for heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.
David Blakey, of the UK Drug Policy Commission said that enforcement agencies "tended to be judged by the amount they had managed to capture".
However, a Home Office spokesperson said "the Government agrees that enforcement in isolation is not effective".
Seizures were only part of the Government's approach to tackling drugs and that many of the report's recommendations "are already being implemented".
"Our drugs strategy encompasses enforcement, prevention, education and treatment," a spokesperson said.
In conclusion, the report said that the proportion of adults in England and Wales reporting any drug use during the previous year has fallen since 1995 (by 1.8%) and the use of Class A drugs has remained stable (increasing by 0.3%) and the use of powder cocaine has increased during this period (by 1.7%).
(DS)(BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2009
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
29 May 2015
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
28 May 2014
GSK To Be Investigated By SFO Over Bribery
British drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has confirmed that a formal criminal investigation has been launched by Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over alleged bribery in its business practices.
GSK To Be Investigated By SFO Over Bribery
British drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has confirmed that a formal criminal investigation has been launched by Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over alleged bribery in its business practices.
26 July 2013
Business Man Convicted Of Selling Fake Bomb Detectors
A 47-year-old man has been convicted of fraud in relation to the making and selling of fake bomb detectors. Gary Bolton, of Redshank Road in Chatham, Kent, made "nothing more than boxes with handles and antennae", which were then sold for £10,000 each, the Old Bailey heard.
Business Man Convicted Of Selling Fake Bomb Detectors
A 47-year-old man has been convicted of fraud in relation to the making and selling of fake bomb detectors. Gary Bolton, of Redshank Road in Chatham, Kent, made "nothing more than boxes with handles and antennae", which were then sold for £10,000 each, the Old Bailey heard.
12 August 2009
Treatment 'Worse Than Cure' For Depressed
While adults taking antidepressants are not at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour, young adults - aged less than 25 years of age - are at an increased risk, similar to that seen in children and adolescents, finds research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com today.
Treatment 'Worse Than Cure' For Depressed
While adults taking antidepressants are not at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour, young adults - aged less than 25 years of age - are at an increased risk, similar to that seen in children and adolescents, finds research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
