SHOULD WE LET DRUG USERS OFF THE HOOK?

ONLY people at the wilder fringes of politics ever suggest the
decriminalisation of drugs. But it may soon become respectable to advocate
the "depenalisation" of drug use.

This term - new to most of us - sums up the belief that people should not
face imprisonment for the possession and use of certain drugs.

Cannabis is the most obvious candidate for "depenalisation" although there
is also a possibility that ecstasy (known to be dangerous) might come
within this category.

To supply such substances would still be a criminal offence punishable by
jail. But simply to smoke one's own supply of cannabis or to pop an ecstasy
tablet while out clubbing would be punished by a moderate fine or community
service at most.

Supporters of this approach to "soft" drugs claim that it would recognise
the reality of modern Britain, in which there are said to be three million
regular cannabis users.

It would lead to consistency - some police forces and courts are currently
tougher than others on drug users and would leave police free to
concentrate resources on targeting the organised crooks who supply drugs,
particularly the harder ones.

This depenalisation approach will receive heavyweight backing today from
the Police Foundation, a research body which has issued a major report on
drugs and society.

Whether or not it will influence government thinking remains to be seen.
But it is not hard to detect a shift in attitudes.

Apart from anything else the obvious failure to win the "drugs war" will
create a desire to try a new approach, perhaps involving a tactical
retreat, which is what depenalisation would be.

However, there are obvious inconsistencies and illogicalities in letting
drug users off the hook while continuing to target suppliers.

After all, the users create the market in the first place.

And if there is any hint that the authorities are prepared to be tolerant
of drug use, that market will grow substantially - leading to more and more
criminals determined to supply it, whatever the risks.