The idea
Prohibition has failed, as shown in studies (http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking10/CAN_Drug_Crime_Crackdown.html) harder laws on drugs do not decrease supply, demand or violence, on the contrary they may cause an increase in gang violence. Street drugs are unregulated with regards to contents and billions of pounds are being poured into criminal gangs while the taxpayer has to pay the bill for failed government prohibition policies.
What is required is an end to red-top hysteria and political point scoring and an objective, scientific approach to drug policy.
Why is it important?
Prohibition has not worked, it didn’t work for alcohol in America so there is no reason it should work for anything else. The empirical evidence points to the contrary. Stricter drug policies pertuate the gang violence surrounding the underground drug culture.