Britain's drug laws are not working and need a rethink, MP Keith Vaz said yesterday.
The Commons home affairs select committee, which Mr Vaz chairs, has released a report urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission – a top-level inquiry – to look at drugs laws.
In a report, the committee said there was a need for improved treatment in prisons and society, earlier intervention and preventative work.
It did not make recommendations for changes to the law but said ministers could learn from the experience of Portugal, where drugs have been "depenalised" – possession of small amounts are not subject to criminal penalties.
The committee urged the Government to study changes in Washington and Colorado, in the US, where cannabis has been legalised.
Former drug-users including comedian Russell Brand gave evidence to the committee.
He said people with the "condition of addiction" should be given supervised medical care, rather then punishment by the criminal justice system.
The Government has rejected the idea of a Royal Commission.
A spokesman said: "Our current laws draw on the best available evidence and as such we have no intention of downgrading or declassifying cannabis.
"A Royal Commission on drugs is simply not necessary."
Word on the street: What people in Leicester said: Sarah Palmar-Finney, 24, mum, Braunstone Frith "I think the laws should be changed. I think harder drugs such as ecstasy and heroin should be punished more harshly if you get found with them, but I don't think weed or anything should get stricter." Barbara Harding, 75, retired, Markfield "I suppose I think something should be changed. I don't know much about drugs and have never come into contact with them, but they are a scourge to some people. I am all for help. I think helping people is better than punishment in some cases, but I think we really do need to clamp down on any drug use." George Bensley, 19, trainee teaching assistant, Aylestone "Yes I think the laws need to be changed. "If you have a drug for your own use and you are not trying to harm others with it, that is less harmful than dealing. If you legalise cannabis for possession, you could sort out issues such as prison overcrowding and the problems from dealers." Luke Dawson, 19, staffing officer, Belgrave "I think you could look at decriminalising cannabis. You could tax it and get a lot of money that way. It could be used to help other people and go towards rehab and help." Skap Hutt, 25, unemployed, Beaumont Leys "I don't know much about drugs but I know that they are bad. I think there should be more punishment for anything to do with all drugs." Lindsey Ayari, 54, unemployed, Hamilton "I don't think they should decriminalise any drugs. I am not 100 per cent sure what the current laws are. "Dealers should certainly be more harshly punished than perhaps a user. I think more harmful drugs should be treated with more punishment because, for example, some people use cannabis for their health." Royston Queeley, 19, unemployed, Highfields "I think there should be a change in the law, because I think drugs relax the mind. If it was decriminalised, think of the money that could be made." Chris Gray, 42, retired teacher, Birstall "Cannabis should be legalised because I think for some people it helps them calm down – not that I would know personally. If it was legalised it could be strictly controlled. I don't think other drugs should be decriminalised – I don't think the country is ready for that." Alan Lewis-Thomas, 76, retired, Aylestone "I don't agree with any drugs, even those given out by a doctor. All drugs should be controlled and supervised. When it comes to a question of treatment or prison, at least in prison they can hear the truth from the Lord and they can really repent." Lorna Thomson, 68, retired, Rothley "Laws should be much more harsh. Many people get away with too much. Sentences should be harsher for drugs crimes. There is counselling. People do need to find out why they are on drugs – that should be a focus of the law. "As for drug dealers, well they should be shot."
