cannabisnews.com: Hague's Wacky Curb on Cannabis Hague's Wacky Curb on Cannabis Posted by FoM on February 08, 2000 at 19:02:17 PT By Ben Leapman, Political Reporter Source: This Is London William Hague today unveiled extraordinary plans for a drugs exclusion zone which would mean jail for anyone caught with cannabis within a quarter of a mile of a school. The policy, the harshest yet from any mainstream party, could significantly swell the number of people imprisoned for minor drugs offences. At present, most caught in possession of a small amount of cannabis are released with a police caution. In London and other inner cities the curbs would apply to almost all users of cannabis because of the high density of schools. The rules could also lead to bizarre arguments about the exact distance involved. Mr Hague accused the Government of "turning a blind eye to soft drugs", and said: "A Conservative government would move clearly in the opposite direction - not more tolerance of drugs but less. Not softer policing but tougher enforcement. Not making excuses but locking up offenders." The call follows a warning from drugs czar Keith Hellawell and Cabinet enforcer Mo Mowlam that police need to focus on fighting hard drugs instead of wasting time on cannabis users. Shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe promised to get tough on soft drug users and small-time dealers, building new prisons if necessary. She said: "I think we should take possession very seriously indeed. If it is necessary to put these types of offenders in prison in order to reduce the drugs menace, then we would have to supply the prison places." A Tory policy statement said: "The possession of drugs within 400 metres of a school should be, through the sentencing guidelines, an aggravating factor in any conviction for possession and lead normally to a custodial sentence." Heads would be encouraged to exclude or expel drug-takers. Tories also want mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of supplying hard drugs to children for a second time, and at least seven years for a third offence of supplying soft drugs to children. Home Office figures show that of 113,000 people arrested for drugs offences in 1997, only 10,000 went to prison, mostly for dealing. Another 45,000 were fined or given community service, while 58,000 got a police caution, mostly for cannabis possession. In December a report commissioned by the Metropolitan Police said that even cautions were too severe because they left youngsters with criminal records. Mr Hague and Miss Widdecombe told a news conference today they had never tried illegal drugs, but Mr Hague said he would be willing to have former drug users in his shadow cabinet as long as they had changed their views. Labour said the exclusion zone was unworkable. A spokesman added: "Mr Hague is trying to act and sound tough without attempting to deal with the underlying problems." Tony Blair and Mr Hellawell today met Paul and Janet Betts, whose teenage daughter Leah died after taking ecstasy. The couple support a tough Government line on cannabis. Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "There is no question whatever of changing the line on the legalisation of soft drugs." © Associated Newspapers Ltd., 08 February 2000Related Articles:Legalise Cannabis Hint From Mowlam http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4624.shtmlM0'S Drugs Stance Risks Blair Wrathhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4451.shtmlNo Clash Over Cannabis - Government http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4443.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by CongressmanSuet on February 08, 2000 at 22:25:26 PT A quarter of a mile? Think about this. Only just now are the British conservatives crying for what the article calls "extraordinary measures" by creating "Drug Free School Zones". A little late, dont you think? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: