Charities reject call for retail outlets

Drugs charities have criticised a new report calling for the
regulation of the illegal drugs market.

The report, by think-tank The Transform Drug Policy Foundation,
suggests that drug misusers could buy their drugs from licensed
retailers or on prescription, leading to a reduction in
drug-related crime.

But charity Drugscope said regulation would not reduce crime or
help drug misusers and warned against a simplistic approach to the
issue.

“There would be no point if this only took place in one country. It
would only become a target for international drug traffickers,” a
spokesperson said.

“The regulation of the drug market is largely untested waters, and
would require a very gradual approach.”

The charity also claimed regulation would fail to tackle the
underlying causes of drug misuse such as poverty and social
exclusion.