Cuts prompt police to call for debate on drugs and redirect resources

Intervention comes amid growing warnings from experts that prohibition does not deter drug use
The Guardian (UK)
Saturday, September 18, 2010

One of Britain's most senior police officers has said youngsters caught carrying personal amounts of drugs such as cannabis should "not be criminalised", in order to allow more resources to be dedicated to tackling high-level dealers. Tim Hollis, chief constable of Humberside police, said the criminal justice system could offer only a "limited" solution to the UK's drug problem, a tacit admission that prohibition has failed.