UK: Green Party leader calls for system change in drugs policy

There needs to be a "system change" on drugs policy, Green Party leader Zack Polanksi has said as he reiterated his backing for the legalisation of drugs.

Speaking on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, he called for a "public health approach" that would ensure that someone who had a "problematic relationship with drugs" could get help from a medical professional.

Asked whether he believed legalisation could send a message to young people that using drugs would be okay, Polanski replied: "I think the danger is happening right now which is where we're pushing it into street corners and a black market."

"They're saying very clearly with one voice we need a national conversation about how the war on drugs is not working," said Polanski. "In fact it's making drugs more dangerous and actually what we need is a grown-up conversation based on evidence, taking a public health approach that looks at prevention, intervention and makes sure that afterwards people can get the support they need."