cannabisnews.com: Drugs Tsar Warns of Cannabis Crime Wave 





Drugs Tsar Warns of Cannabis Crime Wave 
Posted by CN Staff on July 13, 2002 at 20:27:59 PT
By Kamal Ahmed, Political Editor
Source: Observer UK
The controversy over Britain's cannabis laws took a new twist last night when the Government's former 'drugs tsar' launched a blistering attack on the policy, claiming that crime would soar as a result of increased dealing. In an interview with The Observer, Keith Hellawell, who announced that he was quitting the post last week, said the public now thought the Government had gone 'soft on drugs'. He confirmed that he was writing a 'tell all' book. 
Published by Harper Collins in the autumn, it will increase the controversy around official drugs strategy. Hellawell will say that he was knifed in the back by Whitehall officials who launched a vicious spin campaign to undermine him over the last year. Hellawell also revealed that the Prime Minister was against any moves to downgrade cannabis to a Class C drug until after the general election last year. 'He [the Prime Minister] was absolutely clear there was no change on the law, no softening on cannabis,' Hellawell said. 'They didn't want to be seen as going soft on drugs. 'It was to be a common sense approach. The central issue was the drugs that do most harm - heroin and cocaine. It was to be a single-minded approach; cannabis was a distraction from the main show.' Hellawell's statement will fuel speculation that Downing Street is still nervous about last week's decision to reclassify cannabis as a Class C drug. The drugs tsar revealed that he had warned Tony Blair by letter last summer that new rumours that cannabis law was to be relaxed had to be rebutted. It was only 48 hours later that Downing Street began a briefing operation that the policy had not changed. Although Home Secretary David Blunkett, who drove through the cannabis move in the teeth of fierce opposition, coupled the decision with an increase in sentences for cannabis dealers, Hella-well said people would 'think it was all right' to take the drug. 'The real issue is that the way the Government has handled the change in policy on cannabis is causing confusion, the consequences of which will be de facto decriminalisation of cannabis, because the police will not act, because they don't act in relation to Valium and anabolic steroids [two other Class C drugs].' Asked directly whether the change in the law would lead to more drug-taking, Hellawell said: 'The evidence from elsewhere is that it does. The people who have been deterred from taking canna-bis because it is illegal will certainly have the impression that it is all right to do it.' Asked if there would also be a connected increase in crime, he replied: 'Yes.' Hellawell said that his original 10-year strategy on drugs, agreed by the Prime Minister and the former Home Secretary, Jack Straw, had been badly undermined by the new cannabis initiatives. 'They pre-empted everything with a huge blood-letting about how bad I was, how awful I was,' he said. 'It all came out after the last election and clearly they are regurgitating that now. 'Everyone has been quite happy to put the knife into me. The Government was clearing the decks for this experiment, and I was in the way. 'Between then and now there has been a denial that there has been a strategy in place, a void has been created to leave the impression that this week's announcement is something new and is going to help progress on this issue. 'This is part of the spin machine, they like to make announcements, they like to show that things are happening, they always need an initiative. 'The drugs issue is too important to be dealt with so lightly.' Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special: http://www.observer.co.uk/drugs/0,11908,686419,00.htmlSource: Observer, The (UK)Author: Kamal Ahmed, Political Editor Published: Sunday, July 14, 2002 Copyright: 2002 The ObserverContact: letters observer.co.ukWebsite: http://www.observer.co.uk/Related Articles:Keith Hellawell: In His Own Words http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13407.shtmlGovernment Hits Back at Adviser's Resignationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13364.shtmlDrug Adviser Quits Over Policy Switchhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13353.shtmlTop Drugs Adviser Quits Over Cannabis Plans http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13349.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #15 posted by FoM on July 14, 2002 at 22:54:12 PT
null
I don't know how they come up with the opinions they do. Bob Marley died from a melanoma that ultimately spread. That had nothing to do with smoking. They blame marijuana for everything and never credit it for anything. Why do they hate it so?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by null on July 14, 2002 at 15:13:14 PT
that article is off the scale
wow. that article sure is fact filled and well researched, FOM. ;)Whenever somebody says cannabis is safe I think of Bob Marley. He was said to smoke several ounces a day.Serveral ounces a day!!!??!?! Puuuuuh-lease! Maybe if he was sharing with 12 of his closest buddies everyday. Someone is talking out their you-know-what. Did you know that you can O.D. and DIE from too much Vitamin C?? Well you can. Maybe Flinstones vitamins should be illegal... um cuz like.. ya know... they market them at kids in delicious flavors and the things are DEADLY!! All that vitamin c... it's immoral!! ;P
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by FoM on July 14, 2002 at 14:45:46 PT
Robbie
I couldn't even post it on the front page of C News because I was afraid if anyone read it they might have a heart attack or get really upset and wreck their day. I have one thing to say about this. Now Cannabis is in the main stream news and anti articles are in tabloid type news. It's turned, turned, turned around finally!!!Here's the article again.MAN OF THE PEOPLE: BLUNKETT DRUG LAW A DEADLY BLUNDERWILL cannabis kill you? Not in the way heroin can, to be sure. But it's dangerous in ways I can only imagine David Blunkett simply didn't think about before he announced its downgrading.For instance, most of us depend for our safety on others. If you operate dangerous machinery with others you don't want one of the team going off for a joint in the tea break.http://www.people.co.uk/homepage/features/page.cfm?objectid=12032602&method=thepeople_full&siteid=79490
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Robbie on July 14, 2002 at 14:32:10 PT
FoM!!
I just can't believe it. How can be people be so unutterably stupid?!Apart from anything else smoking cannabis requires tobacco.This person pulled talking points from the Drug Tsar's office, or really doesn't have the first clue, or both. How is it that these people are entrusted to be the purveyors of information and truth?Disgusting.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by WolfgangWylde on July 14, 2002 at 09:34:46 PT
The Fix is In...
...Crime, particularly property crime, is exlploding in Great Britain, and has been for some time. (Of course, the UK decided the safest course for all involved was to completely disarm the law-abiding, so that's no surprise). But just wait, the blame will be retroactively placed onto the new cannabis policy, which hasn't even taken effect yet.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on July 14, 2002 at 09:30:39 PT
Here's an idea
Someone should try to compile a list of all federal law enforcement agents killed while enforcing the laws against alcohol during alcohol prohibition.Then find the bar where this judge drinks after work. And deliver this list to the judge right there at the bar in front of other people who are drinking alcohol.Along with a VHS copy of the move The Untouchables.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by VitaminT on July 14, 2002 at 06:13:52 PT
Aaw
somebody's got his widdle feewings hurt.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by The GCW on July 13, 2002 at 23:34:02 PT
FoM - Here is a judge spouting this NEW, garbage, 
(from the Man of Lawlessness),about Our plant.US CO: Activist Gelt Pleads Guilty To Pot Charge -But Gelt got a lecture from the judge about hypocrisy in fighting to stop gun violence while smoking marijuana, which she said fuels gun crime in the streets. She said marijuana is at the root of more gun crimes in Washington than cocaine or heroin."You can't have a double standard about this anymore," Edwards said. "People are dead in the District of Columbia because of marijuana."http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1281/a10.html?1525 & http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E53%257E723717,00.html dated: Thursday, July 11, 2002.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by CongressmanSuet on July 13, 2002 at 23:27:07 PT
Notice...
 There is no author? I didnt know that tobacco was required to smoke cannabis, this article was sooo informative. I like how all these pundiots are condemming the declassification without giving it a chance. Well, seems they have no choice but to give it a CHANCE! Thank You David Blunkett, while you are abit misguided, you have at least taken the initiative to hear the call of the people and act on it. Thanks FoM., but we do have to stop keeping such late hours! LOL!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 13, 2002 at 22:57:01 PT
Check This Article
This article blew me away. Here it is. It's hard to believe people can be so ill informed in this day and age.MAN OF THE PEOPLE: BLUNKETT DRUG LAW A DEADLY BLUNDERWILL cannabis kill you? Not in the way heroin can, to be sure. But it's dangerous in ways I can only imagine David Blunkett simply didn't think about before he announced its downgrading.For instance, most of us depend for our safety on others. If you operate dangerous machinery with others you don't want one of the team going off for a joint in the tea break.http://www.people.co.uk/homepage/features/page.cfm?objectid=12032602&method=thepeople_full&siteid=79490
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by CongressmanSuet on July 13, 2002 at 22:34:48 PT
I need some clarification...
  Did I just read that the cops in England dont react when they find Valium or steroids? Here you would get taken down, cuffed, car towed, the whole nine yards if the cops found a Valium on the floor of your car. But the English are a sensible lot, yes? Lets see, B.C., where its pretty cold for 8 months a year, The Netherlands, where if you cant find a real job in 6 months or less you are escorted out, or England, the birthplace of the Beatles! Where English is spoken, the cops are affectionately known as "Bobbies", here they are just called "assholes", where the original Playboy Club was, humm, sounds interesting, doesnt it? The only thing that scares me is I remember "To Sir, With Love" and I have always thought that movie was a good example of their educational system, so what do I know. There is one more possible alternative, but Im pretty sure the big conflict with Federal BS law will get in the way big time, and it will be years before anything happens, but I kinda like Las "Suet", and Nevada is a beautiful place. Only time will tell....as an aside, I was watching "COPS" tonight and one of the vinguettes[sp] was about the cops illegally pulling over a young white couple because they were seen at the doorstep ringing the bell of a "known" drug house. The young guy trys to explain that he was trying to get a dime of weed, but they didnt answer the door. The young girl says the same thing. Well, there is no weed, no charges, but the cop insists on calling each kids parents up on a cell phone and tell them that their child was apprehended as he/she was attempting to purchase "narcotics" from a known heroin dealer. The kids crying " it was only a dime sack" to their parents was hidious. Whatever happened to the site "Copswatch.com"? I havent been able to access it for months. This whole thing is getting very scary....
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by CorvallisEric on July 13, 2002 at 21:52:03 PT
Ramblings of a Madman
I like that. Hellawell strikes me as more incoherent than rabidly prohibitionist.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by null on July 13, 2002 at 21:18:23 PT
translation
In an interview with The Observer, Keith Hellawell, who announced that he was quitting the post last week, said the public now thought the Government had gone 'soft on drugs'. He confirmed that he was writing a 'tell all' book.Translation: "Oh my god. I just quit my job and have no source of income. I better figure out a way to keep milking that cow known as the War on Some Drugs. Luckily, I am the self-appointed spokesperson for THE PUBLIC and what they think. I should write a snappy little best seller to remind them of what they think though. Just in case, ya know. Gee, it sure feels good being the voice of THE PUBLIC."
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on July 13, 2002 at 21:13:55 PT
Who will read it?
On another note: These anti's really get nasty when they lose. As the British would say, it's the ramblings of a madman.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on July 13, 2002 at 20:50:47 PT
Remember Sleeping Beauty!
The bad fairy Maleficia wasn't invited to the King's wedding so she cursed their first daughter.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment