Police call to treat heroin users

Heroin and cocaine users should be sent for treatment rather than prosecuted, Britain's police chiefs demand today.

And, in a move which will pave the way for a widespread adoption of the Lambeth "softly softly" approach to cannabis possession, chief constables say offices should have discretion to simply hand out a warning and confiscate drugs from people caught with small amounts of cannabis.

However, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has backed away from supporting the idea of softening the law on ecstasy.

The chief constables have also clarified their position on heroin, declaring their opposition to "shooting galleries" where addicts would be able to inject themselves safely under medical supervision.

ACPO's national policy statement aims to clear up confusion about where police stand after conflicting messages of recent months.

Controversial Commander Brian Paddick, who has been moved out of Lambeth-while he faces investigation over claims that he allowed cannabis to be used in his home, told MPs "weekend" drug users who take small amounts of cocaine and ecstasy were low on his list of priorities.

His remarks led to a rebuke from Scotland Yard at a time when a get-tough policy on "middle class" cocaine users in the West End had seen police warn that anyone caught in possession of a single wrap of cocaine would be prosecuted, even for a first offence.

Today's ACPO statement comes two weeks ahead of a major report on the Government's drugs policies from the all-party Commons Home Affairs Select Committee. It is expected to deliver radical conclusions, including backing for an experiment with heroin "shooting galleries" seen in Australia and parts of Europe.

The MPs are also likely to say ecstasy should be downgraded to Class B alongside amphetamines rather than bracketed with heroin and cocaine as a Class A substance. That would mean prison sentences would be cut from a maximum seven years to five. But it will be the report's tone that is crucial in setting the future direction of drugs policy - and it is certain to say there should be greater emphasis on treatment rather than punishment for users.

Today's ACPO statement says it looks forward to the time when those who appear in court for misuse of Class A drugs have immediate access to treatment. Drugs committee chairman Andy Hayman, a Scotland Yard Deputy Assistant Commissioner, said: "We are saying the punitive option is limited. This is predominantly a health issue which must be matched with a health option, such as treatment. The long-term success of our proposal would be judged on whether someone reoffends or improves their health."

This month's select committee report will set in motion changes already signalled by Home Secretary David Blunkett, who wants to downgrade cannabis to Class C.

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