Pubdate: Tue, 28 Sep 1999
Source: Independent, The (UK)
Copyright: 1999 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL
Website: http://www.independent.co.uk/
Author: Richard Jakubowski
Note: Headline by MAP editor

DRUGS NOT A GENERIC EXPRESSION

Sir: The language of Tony Blair's announcement on mandatory drug tests for
crime suspects demonstrates the incoherence of our policy-makers. You cannot
use the word "drugs" as a generic expression.

Alcohol and tobacco cost the National Health Service more than all the other
drugs put together. Talking about drug users committing crime to feed their
habit, the Prime Minister is talking about heroin and crack cocaine and he
is right to be "petrified about drugs in respect of my own children and
other people's children."

However, cannabis the drug choice of the majority, yet as far as I know no
one has ever died from smoking too much pot. It seems mad to spend billions
and incarcerate tens of thousands for growing or smoking the weed that is
shown to have serious medical uses. Why on earth does our Prime Minister
refuse a Royal Commission on decriminalisation of cannabis? It is in a class
of its own and has to be treated as such.Why cannot we learn from the
experience of other countries where the kids turn their back on heroin? New
Labour still means old drug policies that continue to be shown not to work.

Richard Jakubowski, London N8

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MAP posted-by: Jo-D