New clause 1 - Inclusion of khat as a Class A drug
Drugs Bill
5:00 pm
Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Chesham and Amersham, Conservative)
The Observer—not necessarily a friend of those who think as I do about this drug—admitted:
''Not for the first time, the Police Federation is confused. As we report today, the union representing beat officers believes that the downgrading of cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug has left its members unclear about what to do about the rise in the numbers of people openly smoking marijuana on the street. They say that declassification has led to a casual culture of lawlessness and that police officers are provoked by people smoking joints and believing they are above the law.''
Reclassification has led to confusion over the status of cannabis, and it is now in the same category as tranquilisers and steroids.
Another problem was that the drug was downgraded at a time when all the evidence seemed to be rolling in of there being more dangers. Professor Robin Murray, the professor of psychiatry at Maudsley hospital, showed that cannabis consumption exacerbates the symptoms of schizophrenia-like psychosis and can lead to panic attacks, paranoia and long-term mental illness. Smoking cannabis is worse than smoking a cigarette. The Minister is familiar with the arguments about additional costs and the extra damage caused by tetrahydrocannabinols. Cannabis is getting stronger. Whereas in the '60s and '70s I gather that the strength was about 10 mg in the average spliff, it is now about 150 mg.
The new clause gives the Minister the opportunity to admit that she was wrong and reclassify the drug to class B. That would send out the right message on this dangerous drug, and ensure that the damage that has occurred and the confused messages that she and the former Home Secretary have been responsible for will be repaired.
There was a letter today in The Daily Telegraph—I hope that the Minister reads The Daily Telegraph because it carries the odd useful article—from someone whose name and address was supplied, entitled, ''Cannabis is turning our youth into dopes.'' The letter stated:
''I agree entirely that 'cannabis is a 'ruiner' of young men'. I have witnessed this in my sons who, now in their mid-twenties, are just recovering from the loss of 'drive, motivation and concentration' as they ruefully and belatedly establish their careers, having almost missed out on successful higher education.
We parents, in our innocence, thought they were just being teenagers when they were paranoid, apparently unable to move faster than a slow shuffle and had a total lack of concern for their future. Oh, how Harry Enfield's Kevin helped us keep a sense of humour.
They, in turn, have witnessed friends slide into depression owing to excessive dope smoking. I have a friend whose daughter ended up in a mental hospital for dope-induced depression.
As for the dope-smoking parents . . . they are encouraging an illegal activity that ruins young people's lives. It is to be hoped that the children of such parents will do what so many teenagers do and reject their elders' lifestyle.''
That is a timely reminder of what can happen.
I would also like to pay tribute to Mrs. Mary Brett, who many hon. Members know is a teacher at Dr. Challoner's grammar school in my constituency. She has always been scrupulously fair in the information that she provides, and her fears for our young people are based on many years of teaching experience. I hope that the Minister will seriously reconsider, and I am giving her that opportunity today.