THE GORDIATOR: BUDGET 2001: CRIME: DRUGS BATTLE GETS POUNDS 200M

GORDON Brown yesterday promised an extra pounds 200million to go directly to
police and drug advice and counselling groups.

He said: "For too long, too many communities have fought a war against drugs
which drugs have won.

"This war can't be won by Government, so further resources will be announced
to support a new anti-drugs campaign involving prominent figures from the
world of business and sport."

A Home Office source said: "The Prime Minister wants wants people like David
and Victoria Beckham, and other British sports internationals and TV and pop
stars to get involved and take the lead.

"We would like them putting across an anti-drugs message on TV and direct to
schools and youth organisations."

A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police officers said: "It may well
be a lot of this cash will go into educating people about the dangers of
drugs."

A Police Federation spokesman added: "Any cash to help fight drugs and the
criminality that goes with it is welcome."

Illegal drugs support a black economy estimated at more than pounds 2
billion a year.