StopWatch response to Swift. Certain. Tough. New Consequences for drug possession white paper

StopWatch welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Home Office’s consultation on the ‘Swift. Certain. Tough. New Consequences for drug possession’ white paper. The white paper outlines a demand reduction strategy to tackle current levels of recreational drug use across the United Kingdom, setting out an escalatory three-tier framework for the criminal justice response to possession offences, including alternatives to prosecution.

However, the white paper still establishes a punitive model that anticipates the intensification of policing and prosecutorial approaches to the possession of illicit substances, despite best practice recommendations from the government’s expert advisers and international actors. The enforcement of fixed penalty notices on individuals facing ‘Tier 1’ sanctions, and the threat of additional penalties for non-compliance, risks making the avoidance of criminal prosecution dependent on financial means. The implementation of ‘Tier 2’ mandatory drug testing requirements would also necessitate the expansion of stop and search powers, despite overwhelming evidence that such powers are disproportionately used against certain groups in society, such as individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, and Black British communities in particular, as well as young people and men.

Our consultation response answers the following questions:

Section 2 – Tier 1

13. Do you agree with our proposals that for a first offence of possession of a controlled drug an individual should be required to attend a drug awareness course designed to make them consider their behaviour? Please select one option.

Strongly agree

Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Don’t know