Bristol declared ‘city of harm reduction’ as Greens seek less punitive drug policy

Councillors pass motion that paves way to setting up drugs-consumption facility where users can be helped and treated Bristol has been formally declared a “city of harm reduction”, with local politicians pledging to focus on helping and treating users of illegal drugs rather than punishing them. Green councillors, who lead the city council, said the declaration was a clear signal that public health rather than criminal justice solutions were needed to tackle the UK’s growing drugs crisis. They hope the declaration will put pressure on the Labour government to rethink drug policies and, specifically, lead to a legal drug-consumption facility being set up in the city. The move, which has been backed by Bristol Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors, has been rejected by Tory members, who argue it is “ideologically framed”. Nationally, the Greens advocate legalising and regulating drugs. The Bristol Green councillor Cara Lavan, who lost her partner, Jake Coe, 37, to drug overdose poisoning, said it felt like an important moment. “I hope other local authorities will take note and follow suit to create a domino effect that tells the government we need change,” she said. L