Election 2010: Brighton Kemptown candidates on tackling drug abuse

One of the most important issues for Brighton voters at this week’s election is the problem of drug abuse in the city, particularly by teenagers and young adults.

Brighton has previously been dubbed the ‘Drug Death Capital of Britain’ and its problem with drug use has returned to prominence in recent months following at least one death related to the use of methadrone (or Miaow).

News From Brighton asked all the major parliamentary candidates in Brighton Kemptown about their party’s policy on dealing with the problem of drug abuse to give the voters an opportunity to compare the parties.

We asked: What is your party’s policy with regards to reducing drug abuse amongst teenagers and young adults, which is a particular blight on this city?

The candidates answered:

Simon Kirby (Conservatives) – New information uncovered by the Conservatives reveals that 11,294 children under-16 were being treated for alcohol and drug dependency last year.
6,075 children under-16 were treated for cannabis dependency – with 102 of those under 12
4,005 children under-16 were treated for alcohol dependency – with 57 of those under 12
93 children under-16 were treated for heroin dependency – with 10 of those under 12

Shadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, who uncovered the figures, said: “Labour are neglecting a forgotten generation of children. It’s a sad indictment of our broken society that so many are turning to things like drug and alcohol abuse at such a young age.”

“The Government needs to take action now, before it’s too late. Tackling these problems has been low on their priority list and Labour’s irresponsible decision to roll out 24-hour drinking on our towns and communities has not helped.

“The NHS needs a robust strategy to improve public health – like the one we proposed last year, with ring-fenced budgets and proper accountability.

“And we must do more to tackle the wider causes of social breakdown. That means we need to strengthen families, radically reform the welfare system and provide more good school places.”

Simon Burgess (Labour) - Investment in joined up services that support children and families from Sure Start to addiction support services, there are no quick solutions just the need for sustained evolving services that listen to those at the sharp end.

Ben Duncan (Green Party) - I believe that drug abuse among teenagers is best prevented in three ways: by providing better health education (and that means spending more money employing youth and drug outreach workers), improved ‘safe’ facilities for young people to spend time in – and poverty alleviation.

Juliet Williams (Liberal Democrats) - The focus should be on getting addicts the treatment they need. Police should concentrate their efforts on organised drug pushers and gangs.

Give people a direct say in how petty criminals and those who engage in anti-social behaviour are punished by setting up Neighbourhood Justice Panels (NJPs), like the one run by Liberal Democrats in Somerset where 95 per cent of offenders have been turned away from further crimes.

Always base drugs policy on independent scientific advice, including making the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs completely independent of government.

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Posted by on May 3, 2010. Filed under Brighton Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry