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For immediate release 01.04.05 Drug Charities condemn the Drugs Bill Release and Transform Drug Policy Foundation are two of the UK 's leading independent sources of expertise on drug policy and law. A joint statement has been released by the two organisations outlining a series of practical, legal and ethical objections to elements of the new Drug Bill – due to receive its 2 nd reading in the Lords on Monday the 4 th of April From the joint statement: “We believe that the Bill is overly focused on criminal justice interventions that have a poor record of effectiveness. Arguments presented by the government to support these measures, specifically around deterrent effects and reducing availability, are not evidence based. Some clauses risk breaching the Human Rights Act 1998, especially Articles 6 and 8 which provide for the right to a fair trial and the right to respect for a private life respectively. There has been an unacceptable lack of consultation with key stakeholders in the drugs field on significant sections of the Bill, and it contains many ill-considered, populist, 'tough on drugs' measures, many of which will make little or no difference to existing legislation and practice or may be actively counter-productive.” Ends Notes for Editors
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