On Sunday, the Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove announced that the government would ban the possession, use and sale of nitrous oxide – otherwise known as laughing gas or “nos”. A day later, Number 10 went full throttle on its assault against laughing gas. This bred confusion, given that nitrous oxide for recreational purposes was already
Sudden news of the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing that she is due to stand down as Leader within months – after eight years – has sent shockwaves through Holyrood and beyond. During a time of political turmoil, her iron-clad grip on the Scottish Parliament is coming to an end. » Read More
This week, the government unleashed their much-awaited plan to tackle “recreational” drug use, with much of the rhetoric to-date centring around “middle-class cocaine users” and the need to implement “tough consequences” to tackle drug use. Whilst those in the drug policy reform space were anticipating the worst, there are small green shoots that offer reasons…
Moves by London mayor Sadiq Khan to effectively decriminalise drugs in the capital would face strong opposition from Downing Street, the prime minister’s spokesman indicated as he warned “illegal drugs destroy lives”. At the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning, the PM’s spokesperson was asked about reports in the Telegraph suggesting London’s mayor planned to end prosecution of…
This week, the Government revealed its long-awaited ten year drug strategy, which seeks to cut crime and save lives. Whilst I welcome the boost in funding for drug treatment, the strategy largely appears to be a doubling down of a failed ‘war on drugs’ strategy that has only resulted in record-levels of drug deaths and…
With drug related deaths said to be at record highs, the government is today launching a 10 year drug strategy for England and Wales. The new strategy will combine greater investment in treatment programmes, both in the health service and the prison service, alongside a tougher crack down on drug supply. It also contains fresh…
Yesterday, Scotland made enormous strides towards implementing a drugs policy that is rooted in health and not criminalisation, doing so off the back of soaring drug deaths that have risen year on year for the past 8 years. Just 24 hours later, Sir Keir Starmer said that was “probably the right thing to do.” With…
