Policies on drug use have fallen behind the times
I AM writing to you from the Guernsey Drug Strategy Campaign in response to the news article which featured on the front page of the Guernsey Press on 21 January ('Drug importer nearly died after swallowing cannabis'). First off, we would like to address the headline itself. We would argue that it has led some readers to believe that cannabis was the deciding factor in this person's near demise. There have never been any recorded deaths caused by cannabis. We hope the Guernsey Press will consider their responsibility to publish more concise headlines when such important health issues are being addressed. Our second point is the ludicrous sentencing. When we look at all the facts, it is clear that drug prohibition has failed. Late last year we saw evidence of this in a release from the government's drug strategy group saying that drug use is increasing in our schools.
Keeping drugs out of schools is a top priority and if the current policies aren't working (which they are not) then more progressive drug policies are needed.
Our third point is the outrageous and broad statement from Judge Russell Finch saying that 'Hospital resources should not have to be used for conditions that were self-inflicted'. We feel this shows very little regard for the wellbeing of our fellow islanders. One can't help but wonder if this includes other 'self-inflicted' health issues such as self-harming, sports injuries and some cancers.
We argue that a controlled and regulated market would be much safer for users and more cost-effective for taxpayers. In this case, if the person serves the full term it will cost islanders in excess of £150,000 (which doesn't include the medical, legal and after-care expenses). In a controlled market we believe the cost would be zero. We would even see a profit for the island, which would be invested in important things like health care and education.
The way our island treats drug users is inhumane but also suicide at an economic and sociological level. Attitudes and policies towards drug use, abuse and addiction are changing rapidly around the globe and our island has fallen behind.
Guernsey is backwards in its drug laws. The island is one of the few known places where someone who is convicted of a drug-related offence will lose their bank account, which further prevents integration back into society. We have even seen changes in the way Jersey is now treating minor cannabis offences, which often results in no criminal prosecution.
We hope Guernsey will stop wasting resources on this and will adopt a similar or better process as a matter of urgency.
LUCIA PAGLIARONE,
GDSC leader.
