16 May 2018
The Green Party has called for the UK’s drugs laws to be overhauled in response to news that the number of young people arrested for drug dealing is rising.
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the party, called for an impact assessment of the Misuse of Drugs Act after news that the number of under 18s arrested for possession with intent to supply and supplying drugs rose by 28% between 2013 and 2017, from 1,639 to 2,097 [1].
Bartley said:
“The rising number of children and teenagers arrested for drug dealing is further evidence of why we need to overhaul our failing drugs laws. County lines arrests risk criminalising children who are likely to be victims of grooming, trafficking and more – while the criminal underworld continues to profit from the exploitation of young people.
“We urgently need an impact assessment of the Misuse of Drugs Actto ensure drugs policy focuses on the evidence around reducing drug related harms – that’s how we can protect rather than criminalise children and young people who need help.”
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