Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
UK drugs policy needs a stronger health focus as criminalisation is deterring users from seeking help, say doctors.
Although illicit drug use has been declining in the UK, long-term problem drug use and drug-related deaths are not decreasing, says the British Medical Association.
Its Board of Science says evidence shows the current prohibitive approach to drug use is not working.
It says doctors should inform drugs policy to put patients' needs first.
Prof Averil Mansfield, chairman of the BMA's Board of Science, said: "While the medical profession would never condone illegal drug-taking, we believe that we should show understanding of the illness of drug addiction and respond in the way that we would with any other medical problem.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21012168
Although illicit drug use has been declining in the UK, long-term problem drug use and drug-related deaths are not decreasing, says the British Medical Association.
Its Board of Science says evidence shows the current prohibitive approach to drug use is not working.
It says doctors should inform drugs policy to put patients' needs first.
Prof Averil Mansfield, chairman of the BMA's Board of Science, said: "While the medical profession would never condone illegal drug-taking, we believe that we should show understanding of the illness of drug addiction and respond in the way that we would with any other medical problem.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21012168