The case for decriminalisation of all drugs in Cymru (Wales)

Embracing the decriminalisation of drugs is a step towards a healthier, safer, wealthier, and more equitable society

The global conversation surrounding drug addiction has evolved, with an increasing emphasis on public health, harm reduction, and treating substance abuse as a combined medical and mental health issue rather than a criminal problem. Cymru needs to be ambitious, bold, and courageous. Decriminalisation of all drugs can save lives, heal communities, reduce tax burned, generate revenue, and make our nation healthier.

The concept of decriminalisation of drugs is not novel. Advocates have long championed a shift from punitive measures to a more compassionate and health-oriented approach. While debates have simmered for decades, the conversation has gained momentum and clarity in recent years. There are now more than 25 countries with progressive drugs legislation.

Global decriminalisation of drugs

Portugal’s groundbreaking approach to drug addiction provides perhaps the most valuable lessons for Cymru. A landmark moment came in 2001 with its decriminalisation of possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use. Rather than facing criminal penalties, people found to be in possession are redirected to a local commission. There they receive information from outreach teams about treatment and available medical services. This approach does not distinguish between ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ drugs, acknowledging the complex nature of addiction.

Decriminalisation does not mean a free-for-all; it is a hand-in-glove response to responsible drug regulation. Through the creation of outreach teams, composed of psychologists, social workers, and nurses, Cymru can engage with its drug users.

“Recent YouGov polling shows the stress and anxiety resulting from the inconceivably high cost of living is driving higher rates of drug use. A staggering 32% of people have said either they or someone close to them had relapsed into substance use between March and November last year. 61% of these said the cost-of-living crisis was the most significant trigger.”

Further, through legalising production in registered government laboratories, and a supervised distribution of drugs, there can be quality control. This would ensure that substances are not contaminated with harmful additives, which often kill users. It also opens up a path to funding a decriminalised drug policy.

Better for people and for economies

There are now 24 US states in which recreational cannabis use is legal, and most states now permit cannabis for medical purposes. In Nevada, which has a population equivalent to Cymru, the sale of cannabis created a 2023 revenue of ￡680mn. Globally, 59 countries have decriminalised cannabis. The international legal cannabis market is projected to be worth ￡350bn by 2030. Through taking a caring and medically directed approach to drugs, Cymru could benefit from this current and future market.

Countries that have embraced decriminalisation of all drugs, like Portugal, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, have witnessed positive outcomes in terms of reduced drug-related crimes. By shifting the focus from punitive measures to harm reduction and mental health services, Cymru would have an opportunity to create safer communities.

Users who are not driven underground by fear of legal consequences are more likely to engage with health services and support networks, reducing the demand for illicit substances in the first place. This, in turn, can lead to a decline in crimes such as theft and violence associated with the illegal drug trade.

The criminalisation of drug use continues to fail the most vulnerable individuals and communities. There were 4,907 deaths related to drug poisoning registered in Wales and England in 2022, the highest number since records began in 1993. But it is also failing each of us through its misdirection of taxes. As drugs have become more readily available and cheaper to purchase, more users have been caught in the outdated drugs laws governing Wales and England.

Counting the costs

The cost of prosecuting addicts and recreational drug users has skyrocketed. Enforcement costs in Cymru have reached an estimated ￡81mn, with an additional ￡34mn being assigned across the criminal justice system – including courts, prisons, and probation services. Drug prosecutions are a major contributor to overcrowding of prisons.

Decriminalisation would alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system. By redirecting resources toward prevention, education, and treatment, Cymru can adopt a more targeted and efficient strategy, aligning with our nation’s historic liberal principles of fairness and justice.

The call for the decriminalisation of all drugs in Cymru is not an endorsement of drug use but a recognition that a punitive approach has proven ineffective in addressing the root causes of addiction. By shifting the focus from punishment to rehabilitation, Cymru can join other nations of the world who have found their way to a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to drug policy. Embracing decriminalisation is a step towards a healthier, safer, and more equitable society.