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Drug Policy Motion – Andrew Page
contribution
This week was the Liberal Democrats Federal conference
in which all of the associations involved within the UK federal party have
the opportunity to alter or improve party policy in specific areas.
Inverclyde Liberal Democrat activist and former
Scottish parliamentary candidate, Andrew Page participated within the debate
for drug policy reform proposed by Ewan Hoyle of Glasgow South – an area of
significant importance to Inverclyde.
To watch the full debate, click here:
http://t.co/VASKoW5Q
Full Motion:
For Full Motion Hosted by Lib Dem Voice - Click Here
Insert of Andrew Page speech
I would appeal to Conference to support this
motion which is well-written, carefully constructed and thoughtful in both
its diagnosis and prescribed remedies for a problem that is responsible for
reinforcing poverty and further marginalising already disadvantaged
individuals and communities.
There is a welcome emphasis on the very real and serious consequences, both
personal and societal, as well as a reiteration of the need for
evidence-based policy. I particularly support the call to consider
re-evaluating the law, being informed by the experiences of the Portuguese
model, to increase investment in treatment and rehabilitation and all-round
better provision for those affected by drug dependency.
In regards amendment 2 I am not convinced it is necessary and, as the motion
proposes an overdue impact assessment of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 it is
probably unwise to be constrained by the terms of legislation whose fitness
for purpose is actively being questioned. However, I am in support of
amendment 1, with its emphasis on prevention and tackling some of the
precipitating factors leading to substance dependency.
In 1997, I was homeless in Glasgow, and then for five months a resident in a
rehabilitation centre for people with addiction problems. I don’t wish to
discuss my personal history, but the rehab was not the most empowering
place. While it had some positive results, it was unable to deal with some
of the wider problems experienced by those affected by drug misuse. Most of
the clients were homeless. Most had experienced various social problems.
Most experienced mental ill-health. And all of us were unemployed. These
factors created various problems once “rehabilitation”
was complete – this led to a revolving door syndrome with the same people
returning to the same service time after time.
I moved on to a council flat in Sighthill, which Jo Swinson will know as a
thoroughly depressed and disempowered council estate with poor housing and
living standards and an unacceptably low life expectancy. Unfortunately,
support for recoverers was limited and drugs were more easily available than
anywhere outside of Barlinnie Prison. But what I recall most about the place
was its poverty – not just material poverty, but a poverty of hope and
ambition.
So we’re not dealing with one problem but a complex web, a cycle that
enslaves. This is why I support the simple amendment, which promotes a shift
in emphasis as well as a reappraisal of policy.
Finally, I would like to mention the Kerr Report, which applies only to
Scotland but whose principles are transferrable. This is a document
championing a new approach towards improving standards of health in
Scotland. We are, after all, talking about a medical issue, a health issue;
I currently work in adult mental health and there is an inescapable
relationship between drug use and mental illness. The report recommended
more preventative rather than reactive approaches, the need for
evidence-based practice and for services to be “as local as possible and as
specialised as necessary” to provide for the needs of service users.
This approach needs to be fully incorporated into the government’s drug
policies. Support this motion and amendment 1, and hopefully it will be.
To keep up to date with Andrew page specifically – you
can read his blog at
http://scottish-liberal.blogspot.com/
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Published and promoted by G. Anderson and S. Hutton on behalf of Inverclyde
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