We will be live-tweeting the #HomeAffairsCommittee meeting today w @niamhrelease @KojoKoram @DrKarenzaMoore @MartinTransform @qmschooloflaw & @HJAcivillibs BELOW ⤵ This session will focus on drug policy:
- where we are in terms of drug policy in the UK
- what has and hasn't been working so far
- what change is needed

This story by Mark Howarth & @Janmacd in @Sunday_Post requires a 🧵:

Blaming diversion schemes & reduced arrests for cannabis possession for increased hospital admissions linked to cannabis is against evidence and plain wrong.

Here’s why 👇

sundaypost.com/fp/the-eye-has… Claiming reduction in possession charges thru diversion led to more psychosis is nonsensical.

Reducing criminal justice involvement opens up space for a public health response. Less ppl in jail and more receiving treatment if needed is a sign of progress, not of regression.

.@WestMidsPCC announces proposals to reduce drug harms, including:

- Offering education/treatment instead of criminalisation to people who use drugs
- Increasing access to overdose-reversing med naloxone
- Considering the intro of drug consumption rooms

westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/news/news-2018… .@WestMidsPCC: “By 2020, I hope many of these proposals are in place and having an effect – reducing crime, but also the suffering of those addicted to drugs. These proposals will save the public sector money by reducing the strain on services”
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…