CAFE SOCIETY CHANGED TOP COP'S VIEWS ON CANNABIS

ONE of Scotland's top policemen has revealed that he changed his mind on
the evils of drugs after a visit to Amsterdam's notorious cannabis cafes.

Fife Chief Constable John Hamilton was one of two chief constables on the
board of the independent Police Foundation, which on Tuesday called for the
scrapping of prison sentences for cannabis and Ecstasy users.

The Government rejected the report, but yesterday Mr Hamilton, 56,
explained why he had decided to break ranks with many of his senior
colleagues.

The Dutch are renowned for their relaxed attitude towards drug use and
police there are happy to turn a blind eye to the smoking of cannabis in
many of Amsterdam's coffee bars

Mr Hamilton said: "I saw teenagers, husbands and wives and couples smoking
and drinking in the cafes. It wasn't a threatening atmosphere. It was very
relaxed."

"I didn't see any drunkenness or rowdiness and no-one was abusive.

"The greatest threat comes from heroin and other opiates.

"I've never known anyone die from an overdose of cannabis."