Post

With the Gorton and Denton win, our opponents have been working overtime to misrepresent Green Party drugs policy. Heroin in corner shops? Crack for kids? Let's clear this up. 🧵

Our policy creates a tiered system of regulation based on risk. The higher the risk a drug poses, the tighter the controls. This isn't a free-for-all. It's the opposite of a free-for-all.

Heroin? NHS prescription, under medical supervision – not on shop shelves. Crack cocaine? Supervised clinical settings only. Cannabis? Licensed retail, like alcohol. Cocaine? Fixed doses from specialist pharmacies.

Last year, thousands of people died from drug-related causes in the UK. That's under prohibition – the system our opponents want to keep. Prohibition doesn't stop drug use. It just means people use drugs of unknown strength, cut with unknown substances, with no route to help.

So is our policy actually radical? Let's look at the evidence from countries that have already done what we're proposing. Spoiler: every major element of our policy has been tried and tested internationally. Here's what happened. 👇

Switzerland has been prescribing heroin to dependent users since 1994. The results? Dramatically reduced illicit drug use, less crime, better health, more stable housing and employment. The Netherlands and Germany adopted the same model. Same results.

There are now over 100 supervised drug consumption rooms across 13 EU countries. The evidence is clear: they reduce overdose deaths, cut the spread of HIV and hepatitis, and connect people with treatment. Crucially – they don't increase drug use or local crime.

They actually reduce visible drug use in surrounding areas. Communities near these facilities are safer, not less safe. The people who oppose them are prioritising moral discomfort over evidence that saves lives.

Portugal decriminalised all drugs 25 years ago. Drug-related deaths fell. HIV infections fell. Prison population for drug offences dropped from over 40% to under 16%. Drug use has stayed below the European average throughout.

Portugal has not legalised drugs, it has decriminalised personal possession. You are referred to a panel of experts who can impose oenalties such as fines and counselling. Trafficking and distribution of drugs remain serious offences with criminall penalties.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but you're responding to a post in which I've said, "Portugal decriminalised drugs", and then proceeded to state a percentage of people who are still prosecuted for drug offences… 🤷🏻‍♂️

Major political parties, police and health professionals in Portugal continue to support the approach. Not because they're soft on drugs – because the evidence is overwhelming that it works better than what came before.

Now ask yourself: who actually benefits from prohibition? The war on drugs has run for over 50 years. Drug use hasn't fallen. Drug deaths are at record levels. Organised criminals are richer than ever. The only winners are the ones selling unregulated drugs.