Lib Dem MEP visits Drug Policy Centre

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th Jul 2004

Graham Watson, South West Liberal Democrat MEP will tomorrow morning visit the Transform Drug Policy Foundation Centre at Easton Business Park in Bristol, where he will be briefed by Danny Kushlick, the Centre's Director.

Transform is the UK's leading campaign for the legal regulation and control of drugs. In its mission statement, the foundation states that it seeks to minimise drug-related harm to individuals and communities by bringing about a just, humane and effective system to regulate and control drugs at national and international levels.

Active for many years as an advocate of the legalisation of drugs, Graham Watson said today:

"I am looking forward to visiting Transform, who have done such good work in the field of drug awareness; they have gone from being a campaigning group to become a think tank with charitable status. Radical reform of drug policy and our approach to the problem of dealing with drug abuse is essential. Vast amounts of police and customs resources are spent in a vain attempt to halt the supply of drugs, this money would be better spent on a rigorous education programme, concentrating on those most at risk from being tempted into drug abuse."