DRUGS: ABOUT D'ANCONA REPORT, THE NEW LABOUR IS LIKELY TO CHOOSE PAST AND CONSERVATISM. ON THE CONTRARY, THE COURAGE TO MAKE NEW CHOICES IS NECESSARY.

DECLARATION OF OLIVIER DUPUIS, MEP AND SECRETARY OF THE TRANSNATIONAL RADICAL PARTY.

Brussels, January 10th 1998. "Rumour has it that almost the whole British Labour Group within the European Parliament is to vote against D'Ancona report that suggests a new and pragmatic approach, though still moderate so far, to the drug policy. Labour's vote against the report would probably lead to its refusal.

In an extreme attempt to hold a dialogue, I would like to invite Labour European Parliamentary colleagues, the party leaders and Tony Blair himself to think about the serious consequences of the choice they are to make, not only for the life of millions of consumers condemned each day to secret, disease or death, but also for the authoritarian and conservatory brake brought about by the New Labour's turning round.

D'Ancona report does not pretend to provide ideologically any formula, but confines itself to put at the centre of the debate about a theme so dramatically lived by all the European peoples, the competence of local authorities and individual freedom, trying to shield the European judicial power from the daily strangulation entailed by the persecution of drug consumers, in particular of millions of cannabis consumers. D'Ancona report also tries to restore political dignity to the scientific results obtained from risk reduction projects that saved lives of dozens of heroin addicts where they could be developped, through the controlled ditribution of heroin.

By the refusal of D'Ancona report, the New Labour rejects in the european Union the possibilities of a real reform, civil rights and freedom, which they are so care for in their country."

Radical Party

Tel 0032-2-230.41.21

Fax 0032-2-230.36.70