Neil Woods, former police officer and founder of LEAP UK, discusses the flaws of the war on drugs and the need for drug policy reform with Ben Twomey, PTV’s newest reporter. He highlights the harm caused by current drug policing, including increased violence and the sharpening of organized crime. Woods argues for a shift towards regulatory control and a health-focused approach to drug use. He acknowledges the challenges faced by police officers who want to speak out against current drug policies and emphasizes the importance of police leadership in advocating for reform. Woods predicts that the UK could see a regulated market for heroin within a few years and a regulated market for recreational cannabis within six years.

Takeaways

• Current drug policing is causing more harm than good, including increased violence and the strengthening of organized crime.
• A shift towards regulatory control and a health-focused approach to drug use is needed.
• Police officers face challenges in speaking out against current drug policies, but police leadership can play a crucial role in advocating for reform.
• The UK could see a regulated market for heroin within a few years and a regulated market for recreational cannabis within six years.

Sound Bites

• “Policing cannot impact on that, but it can change the behaviour of those operating within that marketplace.”
• “The UK really is standing out. You know, if you look at the stance of Police Scotland, for example, how they, for a point of principle, as much as the health need, decided that every single cop was going to carry naloxone.”
• “Heroin is the easiest drug to regulate because you don’t even need any change in law. You just need to go back to the prescription model where doctors can prescribe to those people who use it problematically.”

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
• 03:23 The Flaws of the War on Drugs and the Need for Reform
• 08:11 The Harm Caused by Current Drug Policing
• 12:37 The Importance of Police Leadership in Advocating for Reform