Keir Starmer criticised by ex-police officers for his ‘nonsense’ views on drugs

"We fiercely oppose Starmer's view," say former drug cops

Keir Starmer's stance on drugs has again been criticised by police officers, with ex-drug cops labelling the Labour leader's views as "nonsense". This news comes a month after Starmer was slammed for his comments on cannabis. The Labour leader was asked whether he thought there was a case for decriminalising cannabis possession. Starmer said he had "never subscribed to that view", adding "when I was Director of Public Prosecutions, I prosecuted many, many cases - or my team did - involving drugs and drug gangs and the criminality that sits behind". He said drugs "cause huge issues for vulnerable people across the country". [caption id="attachment_267804" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Labour leader Keir Starmer is opposed to the legalisation of cannabis. (Photo: Getty)[/caption] LEAP UK took issue with these comments. This group is comprised of senior police officers and law enforcement figures who believe the UK's drug laws need a complete overhaul. "We are deeply concerned and regret to hear Mr Starmer's comments, with his belief that our drug policy is 'roughly right'," LEAP told JOE in a statement. The group added "issues such as knife crime and the inherent criminality that goes with drugs" are a direct result of drug prohibition. Police officers within LEAP have now hit out at Starmer again, this time for his "nonsense" views on drug consumption rooms. At the beginning of the week, Keir Starmer visited Scotland - where drug deaths are the highest per capita in Europe. He was asked for his views on drug consumption rooms (DCRs). DCRs are a legally permitted scheme whereby users can administer drugs in a safe and clean environment without the risk of arrest. [caption id="attachment_267807" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Drug consumption rooms allow addicts to take drugs safely under supervision. Campaigners say DCRs save lives. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)[/caption] Starmer said drug consumption rooms are not the answer to Scotland's drug problems and are not a "long-term solution". "We fiercely oppose Starmer's view," say police officers in LEAP, "on the evidence that DCRs work". The group added: "The fact they [DCRs] save lives should say it all, but with the social benefits of cutting down on discarded needles, drug paraphernalia and wrap around services, the evidence speaks for itself." Drug consumption rooms have been set up in over 21 countries, most with less problematic drug use than Scotland. No one has ever died in a DCR. Peter Krykant, whose unofficial service van has overseen more than 500 injections, claims the scheme saves lives. [caption id="attachment_267805" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Peter Krykant's safe consumption van takes problematic drug use off the streets, but is regularly stopped by police. (Photo: Getty)[/caption] Krykant's van, a converted old ambulance, routinely gets stopped and searched by police.