WE FACE A DRUGS BLITZ

ANN Widdecombe has, quite rightly, been slated for her draconian proposals
to crack down on drugs. However, her proposed instant fine for first-time
possession of even one joint of cannabis was arguably the least
controversial of these measures.

Much more insidious is the proposed change of law that would make it a
criminal offence to have drugs in the bloodstream.

This measure is not so much aimed at those who commit burglaries to fund
their drug habits, ie, the heroin or crack cocaine addict, it is primarily
aimed at the casual cannabis user.

Hard drugs such as heroin can only be traced in drug tests for a couple of
days after use. Cannabis, on the other hand, can be detected up to 90 days
after use, despite the fact that the effects only last an hour or two when
cannabis is smoked.

Police will also be empowered to arrest anyone they suspect may test
positive. Considering that 42% of 16-to-29-year-olds have used cannabis at
some point, then virtually anyone could be considered as a suspect, be
arrested and forced to urinate in a cup or forcibly give blood for the
purpose of a drug test.

Is it really a law-and-order priority to arrest and give criminal records
to people for the joint they smoked a month ago? Matthew Hopkin, the
Witchfinder General of the dark ages, would have approved, I'm sure.

Another point to bear in mind is that the Tories will blur the distinction
between a casual cannabis user and a drug dealer/trafficker. There will be
a legal assumption that if you are caught with a certain amount of cannabis
you are a dealer and will be punished accordingly - ie, prison - whether or
not any sales can be proved.

I believe the limit will be set as low as 2 grams for personal possession,
enough herbal cannabis for one or maybe two joints. I also believe that
Labour's forthcoming Drugs Act will also contain this Orwellian provision.

A Mori poll last year showed that 48% of people in this country support the
legalisation of cannabis.

There is certainly no public consensus that smoking cannabis should be even
be considered a crime, yet the Tories and even Labour would inflict upon us
laws and police tactics more akin to those found in the former Soviet Union
than a free democracy.

P. White