A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers

By Clare Jerrom.

‘Softly softly’ scheme on soft drugs lets off hundreds
with a caution

The controversial "turning a blind eye" to
cannabis use scheme in Lambeth, south London, has saved 2,000 hours of police
time since the scheme was introduced last July, according to Scotland Yard.

The trial scheme has resulted in 400 drug users escaping
prosecution for possession. It is also thought to have saved potential court
costs of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The Metropolitan Police has extended the scheme to run until
spring and claims that since the pilot was launched, they have cautioned around
75 users a month.

Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the National
Association of Probation Officers, said the scheme had been successful:
"Cannabis use and possession is a social matter, not a criminal one. This
approach has freed police to pursue serious offenders."

Home secretary David Blunkett has told MPs he wants cannabis
possession to be made a non arrestable offence country-wide.

Source:- The Independent Thursday 3 January
page 11

Judge demands action over sex trade

New laws should be introduced to crack down on human
traffickers responsible for forcing a growing number of women and children into
sexual slavery, according to one of Britain’s leading judges yesterday.

Peter Singer, high court judge in the family division,
accused the government of showing a lack of political will in responding to the
"burgeoning phenomenon" which sees as many as 1,400 women and
children being brought into Britain each year to enter the sex industry.

Singer urged "trafficking tailored" laws to be
introduced "far sooner".

Calling for the continuing review of the Sexual Offences Act
to address the problem, the judge said that police forces also needed to view
the issue with a greater priority, and chief constables should set performance
targets.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 3 January page 5

Drop in prison suicides

In 2001, the number of prison suicides dropped by 11 per
cent on the previous year.

According to the prison service, there were 72 suicides last
year compared with 81 in 2000 and 91 the year before.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 3 January page 5