Drug death 'capital' Brighton to put treatment ahead of punishment

Green MP says the coalition's 'localism' policy enables seaside town to follow Portugal's decriminalisation strategy
The Guardian (UK)
Sunday, June 26, 2011

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, has called for a new approach, having identified an unlikely ally. She wants to exploit the localism agenda of communities secretary Eric Pickles, the no-nonsense cabinet bruiser from Bradford, to decriminalise drug use in the city. If Lucas, the first Green MP in England, gets her way, a town which has gained a reputation as one of the most tolerant in the country will become a pioneer in liberal drugs policy as well.