Future considerations should be given to allowing people to make informed choices and buy drugs in a safe environment.
The Department of Home Affairs report into the policy principles to inform the Isle of Man’s approach to tackling harm caused by drugs was published today.
In it, the department says that “there are people who use illegal drugs and who will continue to do so, regardless of criminal sanctions or the risk of harm to their health”.
However, reforming this is “complex with many interdependencies” with the island having to be sensitive to its commitments to the UK under international conventions.
The report also notes that “any significant change should also be subject to appropriate public consultation and engagement”.
Future
While setting out the ways in which the harm of drugs can be reduced, the report also looks at the future of drug regulation.
It said: “There is much published evidence to suggest that a long-term solution for reducing the harm caused by drugs is to ensure that adults are able to make informed choices as to drug use in a regulated environment.
“Ultimately, a regulated environment allows people to make safe, informed choices. In the same way as the quality, sale and content of alcohol, tobacco and availability of vaping products are currently regulated in controlled environment, so the sale of drugs in this way could bring similar controls on usage.”
This model would also address the issue of criminal supply and would follow a model which is understood and in use countries around the world.
However, the DHA said that there are “numerous different models used by jurisdictions around the world and the Island is bound by several international conventions”.
As such, further investigation of possible future regulatory regimes would be required alongside detailed public consultation and an assessment of the societal impact of such changes.
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