Drawing on her extensive background in the National Health Service (NHS), today Zoë Garbett AM pressed the Mayor to support placing the trade, supply & access of drugs in London in the hands of health professionals. Additionally, Garbett AM urged the Mayor to reduce drug harm as Londoners call for an end to the era of unproductive criminalisation and dangerous drug trade across the city.
In response to Garbett’s urging, the Mayor agreed to do everything in his power to ensure both the drugs commission will produce public recommendations by the end of the year, and that the possibility of opening London’s first overdose prevention centre is explored via the London Drugs Forum.
Following the Mayor’s Question Time, Green Party London Assembly Member Zoë Garbett said:
“Londoners deserve a drugs policy rooted in health and care, not policing and criminalisation.
“It would be utterly transformational if the Mayor used his platform to call for real change to drug policies and approach here in London.
“While he appeared to be clear on the negative impacts of an illegal drug trade, it seems he has still missed the fact that the only way to properly address the death, exploitation and billions being spent on enforcement is legal regulation.”
To watch Zoë Garbett AM’s full exchange with the London Mayor, click here.