I'LL FIGHT TO KEEP CALDERDALE FREE OF DRUGS

The Lib Dems are in a mixed-up muddle when it comes to nicotine and cannabis.

At a recent Calderdale Council scrutiny meeting we discussed a proposal by
a Liberal Democrat to ban all smoking anywhere in council buildings and
vehicles. Her colleague, a smoker, who said we should think of the welfare
of council officers who wanted to smoke, opposed this at the same meeting.

In a further twist, their national leader, Charles Kennedy, has recently
stated his opinion that cannabis ought to be decriminalised. If you forgive
the pun, what foggy logic from the Liberal Democrats.

The message being given out by the Liberal Democrats is that cigarettes are
bad and should be stamped out but cannabis is fine and should be made
freely available.

You have people who call for decriminalisation and say they should have the
right to knowingly damage their health with cannabis and then burden the
health service for expensive treatment that we all work hard to pay for .

For every person who has tried cannabis and suffered no ill effects there
is another for whom it has ruined their health and lead [sic] on to harder
drugs. Hard drugs lead to crime. Would you take that risk with your child
by supporting decriminalisation of cannabis?

People should be encouraged not to become dependent on drugs of any sort
but to find a healthier means of enjoyment. Most of mine revolve around sport.

As a society we have spent millions of pounds in the battle to reduce
smoking and promote a healthier and cleaner lifestyle. It is working. Let
not the calls of a selfish few throw away all that good work.

I wish the local Liberal Democrat councillors would have the courage to
engage me in a serious debate about decriminalising cannabis rather than
hide behind outsiders from Oldham, Norwich and Essex to argue for them.

Decriminalisation of cannabis is not a move in the right direction. If your
readers feel the same I would like to hear from them. As long as I am on
the health and social care scrutiny committee I shall endeavour to keep
Calderdale free from drugs.

(Coun) ANDREW FEATHER
(Con, Sowerby Bridge)

School Lane
Bradshaw
Halifax