cannabisnews.com: Top Drugs Adviser Quits Over Cannabis Plans 





Top Drugs Adviser Quits Over Cannabis Plans 
Posted by CN Staff on July 10, 2002 at 06:26:58 PT
Staff and Agencies
Source: Guardian Unlimited UK
Government drugs adviser Keith Hellawell today announced his resignation in protest at the home secretary's proposal to reclassify cannabis from class B to class C. Mr Hellawell, the former drug tsar who is now a part-time adviser, also attacked as "spin" the government's relaunching of its 10-year drugs strategy.He said he had written to David Blunkett to inform him of his resignation. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's moving further towards decriminalisation than any other country in the world.
"I have resigned over this issue and over the issue of spin." Mr Hellawell, who was a chief constable before the prime minister, Tony Blair, appointed him to address international drugs issues, added: "I'm against it because of the message it gives. It's actually a technical adjustment which in the reality of the law doesn't make a great deal of difference. "But it's been bandied about by people as a softening of the law. It is a softening of the law and it's giving the wrong message. "It's a personal initiative of David Blunkett. I don't know where he got his advice from, he certainly didn't get it from me. He added: "But there is no evidence at all to indicate that there is any change in the system. "Even his own committee says that cannabis is a dangerous substance, there's an increase in use among young people, there's an increase in people who are seeking treatment for the drug, and even in that report it does recognise that there is a link between cannabis and harder drugs. "So why on earth, when there are these problems, we change our message and give a softer message, I do not know." A spokesman for the home secretary hit back at Mr Hellawell's criticism, claiming his stance on cannabis appeared to have changed since a meeting last year."Keith Hellawell said to the home secretary in a meeting last autumn that he was fully supportive of the home secretary's proposal to reclassify cannabis," said the spokesman."This was a meeting before the home secretary made his announcement to the home affairs select committee revealing he planned to reclassify the drug."He tendered his resignation last month to take effect in August but the Home Office kept this private at his request."The home secretary's drug strategy to be announced this afternoon is not an alternative strategy but one that will build on the achievements of the first term while focusing on the challenges ahead," he added. Also criticising what he called government spin, Mr Hellawell said: "Also today I understand, although I've been kept out of the discussions on this, there's going to be a re-launch of the drugs strategy." He said he had become more concerned that the government was not addressing the strategy, adding: "There is just a sort of a re-packaging, a re-spinning of the issue to appear as if something has been done, and this is causing a great deal of problems on the streets, it's causing a great deal of problems for parents who just don't know where they are. "Drugs are so important to all our families in this country, the politicians should not make political play out of it and should not take advantage by making political statements." Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlSource: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: comment guardian.co.uk Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles & Web Site:Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special http://freedomtoexhale.com/dc.htmPolice Fear Muddle Over Cannabis Laws http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13345.shtmlSofter Line for Cannabis Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13344.shtmlBritain To Relax Laws for Millions of Dope Smokers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13339.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #5 posted by whatever on July 10, 2002 at 07:54:24 PT
Be sure.....
not to let the door hit you in the ass on your way out you poor, disillusioned man.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Lehder on July 10, 2002 at 07:50:11 PT
no nuclear bunker buster needed
Government drugs adviser Keith Hellawell today announced his
   resignation in protest at the home secretary's proposal to reclassify
   cannabis from class B to class C.So where's he going? The article doesn't tell us. But a deep cave in Afghanistan would be a good place for him, and this first tiny trickle will one day become a mass exodus of drug warriors running for their lives. Eventually we'll be hunting them for prosecution in every corner of the world, same as the old Nazis. And when we find Hellawell's cave I suggest we just roll a big rock over the opening and let him stay down there with Bush, Walters, Asa, and bin Laden.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 10, 2002 at 07:40:07 PT
BGreen 
Bye Bye I love it! Great response and right to the point!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by BGreen on July 10, 2002 at 07:25:19 PT
Bye Bye
You liar.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by WolfgangWylde on July 10, 2002 at 07:07:04 PT
"Its moving further toward decriminalisation ...
...any other country in the world"Guy doesn't get out much does he? Hello? Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, the Netherlands - any of these ring a bell? No wonder the guy got bounced from the Drug Czar job.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment