MP leads drugs policy debate

Mrs Atkins interviewed Dr Kevin Sabet, former senior adviser to President Obama’s administration as part of the Policy Exchange debate.

Dr Sabet is the only drug policy adviser to have served as a political appointee to Democrat and Republican Presidents.

Their conversation focussed on the importance of greater regulation of marijuana to align current policy with 21st Century science.

The MP is a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee which is scrutinising the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill introduced to tackle the problem of so-called ‘legal highs.’

Mrs Atkins said: “I was pleased to interview Dr Sabet at Policy Exchange about drug policy. It was a stimulating discussion on the myths surrounding the debate on the legalization of drugs.

“I agree with Dr Sabet that greater regulation is important to protect everyone in our society, particularly young people, from the dangers of drug abuse – both of controlled drugs and so-called “legal highs”

She added: “It is vitally important that we do not allow any changes we make in our law to give the impression that these substances are safe. The evidence is clear, they are not.”