But Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, the UK's leading independent centre of expertise on drugs, told Channel 4 News the debate, while welcome, was not necessarily the most important issue in an era of cuts - and declining drug use. "What hasn't really got much notice in recent years is that we have seen a gradual decline in overall reported levels of illegal drug use," he said. "For both adults and older school age children, reported levels of drug use are lower than they have been since the mid 1990s. It doesn't mean we don't still have significant problems but it is a trend that needs a bit more understanding. "Clearly something has been happening - to some that might sound counter-intuitive, not least because of the amount of attention drug use receives. But whatever legal framework we have, it is still important to look at the issues around prevention, education and also treatment and recovery."
