Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 16 Dec 2010 Drugs Policy
"I absolutely accept that the hon. Lady is well intentioned, but the right hon. Member for Coventry North East this morning advocated licensing or prescription of heroin and cocaine. What does a parent say when they see a senior politician saying, “We should license these drugs”? The nuances of the …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"I could not agree with the hon. Lady more. We talk about mixed messages. The right hon. Gentleman asked about the assertions that I made about the impact of downgrading cannabis. I point him to Hansard for 1 April 2009 and the answer to a question asked by my hon. …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"I do not want to steal the Minister’s thunder, but I think he will outline how payment by results and changing the culture of how we treat drugs and drug rehabilitation can deliver the outcome and be more cost effective. I invite the right hon. Gentleman to visit the Burton …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"It is true that the right hon. Gentleman was drugs Minister for a number of years, and I understand that the drug problem increased in every one of them...." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. It is true that we do not yet have enough evidence on the success of abstinence-based programmes, which is why I am encouraged that the Minister is going for a pilot project in the drugs strategy. I am evangelical on the benefits that …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"The hon. Lady raises a point that is crucial to the success of payment by results. The danger is that certain providers will cherry-pick the easy-to-cure addicts, and that the more difficult and complex cases will be abandoned. Does she agree that we need to ensure that providers that deal …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"I think that the vast majority of those involved in drug treatment recognise that it will take a while—a period of time—to see meaningful results. We have to change the ethos in relation to recovery and we have to up-skill a work force and teach them the new skills that …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"My hon. Friend knows that 70% of all alcohol sold in this country is sold through supermarkets. Is not the danger that all the measures before us put extra burdens on pubs, which have to deal with the consequences? The Minister will say that supermarkets can be controlled within the …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech
"Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that when one can go to a supermarket and buy a can of strong lager more cheaply than a can of Coca-Cola, that sends out an extremely damaging message to young people? That is why so many young people are pre-loading. Before they go …..." Andrew Griffiths - View Speech