Russell Brand predicts that all drugs will be legal within 20 years

The outspoken and often controversial Russell Brand has spoken to the BBC’s Mark Easton on the topic of drugs, suggesting that the total legalisation of drugs is the only way to control their distribution and be in a position to provide help to those who become dependent.

“My personal opinion is total legalisation of all substances so that they can be regulated. Stringent regulation of drugs like we have with legal substances today, because until then we are not addressing the problem realistically.”

Mr Brand’s argument is compelling, as it always is. He goes on to say that “the legal stance doesn’t work; it hasn’t worked for ages. It creates a criminal class, it creates a criminal economy. We all know this and I think it’s perhaps time to address that.”

The distribution of drugs today is very similar to the distribution of alcohol during the prohibition era in America. Mobs and gangsters controlled production and distributions with an iron fist and showed no regard for the law or the wellbeing of their customers. Why should drugs be treated any differently?

Mr Brand believes that legalisation will come, saying: “In 10 or 20 years we will have global legalisation”. Mark Easton sounded surprised at the prediction, asking: “Really?”

Mr Brand’s response was: “Yeah, of course. We can’t remain in the dark forever,” followed by his trademark cheeky grin.

Illegal drugs are, of course, dangerous when they are abused, but so are prescription drugs and alcohol. There is no evidence to suggest that legalising drugs will lead to more addiction; in fact, by removing the criminal element from the manufacturing and distribution of drugs, perhaps the industry can become more responsible.

Drug testing could lead to government-funded drug treatment and recovery programs, paid for by taxation, in the same way that alcohol abuse can be treated. The NHS may be able to provide health and safety guidelines for recreational drug use in the same way that it does for alcohol.

Perhaps it really is time for governments to start thinking that a drug problem may be caused by criminal activity and that the users often need help and compassion.