cannabisnews.com: Uproar Over Plan To Seize Drug Homes Uproar Over Plan To Seize Drug Homes Posted by CN Staff on June 22, 2003 at 18:14:52 PT By David Cracknell, Political Editor Source: Times Online UK The home secretary has sparked a row with fellow ministers by proposing to allow police to seize the homes of cannabis users if they are deemed to be a "serious nuisance".Leaked cabinet papers reveal David Blunkett's plans to amend his Anti-social Behaviour Bill so that police could close and seal premises associated with soft drugs for up to three months. Under the original plans the police would have power only over "crack houses" or sites linked with class A hard drugs. In a letter to cabinet colleagues, the home secretary says he has been "convinced" of the need to extend the powers to class B and C drugs, which include amphetamines, barbiturates, anabolic steroids and some tranquillisers.The documents reveal that his plans have encountered opposition from the health and housing departments. They have warned that the plans would send out "confusing messages" to youngsters, alienate black people and mean having to find new accommodation for those whose homes have been seized.Blunkett's move also appears to fly in the face of his pledge to downgrade cannabis from class B to C, which some have interpreted as an easing of the law on "recreational" use.Last night the Home Office appeared to backtrack after the plans were leaked to The Sunday Times. A spokesman said they were something the home secretary had been "looking at" but was unlikely to take forward.But in a letter to John Prescott, chairman of the cabinet domestic affairs committee, dated June 4, Blunkett admitted that parliament was split on the issue but said he has been persuaded to widen police powers."Reflecting on this debate I am minded to make a government amendment to the bill to strengthen its powers to include all classes of illegal drugs," he wrote."This would ensure that where such premises are associated with serious nuisance related to class B or C drugs they could be effectively controlled using these powers."I have become convinced that such an extension also offers an appropriate additional control to premises used for illegal drug supply, such as 'cannabis cafes'."Where the production, sale or use of class B or C drugs is associated with serious nuisance, these premises could then be closed, as with premises where class A drugs are involved. The intent of the power remains the same — to rid communities of serious nuisance and protect them from the dangers of drugs. Where there is serious nuisance it should be irrelevant what class of drugs is causing it."Melanie Johnson, the new public health minister, expressed doubts about the plans. "I have serious concerns about the possible impact that the extension of these powers to class B and C drugs may have, as suggested," she wrote last Monday."The main objective of the national drug strategy is class A drugs, ie cocaine, crack, heroin and ecstasy. Focusing on a wider range of drugs could divert priorities and funds away from the tackling of class A drugs, which evidence shows costs the greatest amount of harm. It could also send confusing messages to young people about which drugs cause the greatest dangers and harms."Young people or members of black and ethnic minority communities in particular may react very negatively if they believe the premises they use are targeted by these new powers. This may result in hostility towards wider local action on drugs, to public order issues or towards local drug prevention or treatment services."A further salvo has been fired by Lord Rooker, the housing minister. In his response, dated June 12, he wrote: "Class B and C drug use is less often associated with problems of serious nuisance. In order for the power to remain properly targeted there must be no weakening of this serious nuisance criterion."How many additional properties do you estimate will be subject to closure in this wider power? There will also be a possible requirement to house people made homeless and for temporary management of property during this period."Yesterday Blunkett's plan was criticised by race campaigners. Lee Jasper, race adviser to Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, said: "This sounds like a gimmick. The sheer scale of class C drug use would mean huge amounts of people could effectively be evicted. But this is not only an ethnic minority issue as class C drug use is widespread across all communities."At the same time the government is declassifying cannabis, it is introducing draconian levels of punishment for possession. This approach is completely inconsistent."In July 2002 Blunkett announced cannabis would be reclassified from class B to C after senior police officers complained of the time wasted by officers in dealing with comparatively minor users of the drug. The changes are still going through parliament and are likely to take effect later this summer. Instead of a blanket downgrading of the offence of possession, police will still be able to arrest drug users in circumstances such as refusing to hand over the cannabis, threatening violence or smoking it in plain sight of children. The reclassification means police can issue on-the-spot warnings as opposed to formal cautions, thus freeing up resources for combating more serious drug use. The leaked correspondence between the ministers: David Blunkett, home secretary, June 4"The intent of the power remains the same - to rid communities of serious nuisance and protect them from the dangers of drugs. Where there is serious nuisance it should be irrelevant what class of drugs is causing it." Lord Rooker, housing minister, June 12"There will also be a possible requirement to house people made homeless." Melanie Johnson, public health minister, June 16"I have serious concerns...members of black and ethnic minority communities in particular may react very negatively if they believe the premises they use are targeted." Source: Times Online (UK)Author: David Cracknell, Political EditorPublished: June 22, 2003Copyright: 2003 Times Newspapers Ltd.Contact: debate thetimes.co.uk Website: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ Related Articles & Web Site:Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special http://freedomtoexhale.com/dc.htmPlan To Seize Drug Homes Haltedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16674.shtmlCannabis Policy Goes Up In Smoke http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16671.shtmlThinktank Urges Leniency for Cannabis Growers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15962.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment