LOSING THE DRUGS WAR

Madam,

Last week, a report by the UK Drugs Policy Commission exposed the true
extent of the illegal drugs problem that we face.

The Government's failure to curb demand or prevent supply costs the
criminal justice system alone over UKP4bn a year.

In the more tranquil villages and smaller towns of Derbyshire, we may
think we are safe from what is often seen as an inner city problem.

Not so, as the report highlights.

Not only is it easy for drug users to travel to dealers, it is as easy
for dealers to travel to our home areas to seek out new markets and
trap new users into their heartless trade.

We need a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, from our shores to our
streets.

We need to introduce a dedicated Border Police Force to stem the flow
of drugs into Britain.

We need to extend abstinence-based rehabilitation to help get addicts
off drugs for good.

There is no easy answer and any solution will take years to have a
major impact.

But we do need to start now.

This current Labour Government is losing the war on drugs - even worse
it doesn't seem to really care.

Rupert Matthews

Conservative Prospective MEP Candidate

9 Prospect Court

Courteenhall Road

Blisworth

Northamptonshire