ILLEGAL CANNABIS KEEPS GANGS QUIET

Sir - A supposed argument for decriminalisation of cannabis is that it will
take money away from gangs that control most of the cannabis trade.

Unfortunately, in every society there is always going to be a percentage of
people who want to rebel against the law and languish in the criminal
element, whatever that may be, and these people usually decide to join or
have contact with gangs or similar groups.

This may be a controversial viewpoint, but cannabis helps keep these groups
pacified, and decriminalisation would potentially encourage these people to
diversify and capitalise on other areas like harder drugs, prostitution, and
other organised crime.

Also, younger adolescents are usually frightened and steer clear of gang
"shops" that deal in cannabis.

I am definitely no advocate of gangs and their practices, but MPs should
consider that the street may supply far more consequences for
decriminalisation than "health risks".

SAVVA KERDEMELIDIS March 22, 2000