PLEA FOR SOFTER DRUG LAWS WILL BE THROWN OUT

A HIGH-POWERED report into Britain's drug laws will be dismissed by the
Government because it recommends relaxing the regulations.

The report by the Police Foundation think-tank, which boasts Prince Charles
as its president, will this week say that cannabis users should not be
jailed and that Ecstasy is a relatively "soft" drug.

But senior Whitehall sources have made it clear that Tony Blair, who is
aware of the contents, is not impressed and the Government's stance on
drugs will not change.

Drug tsar Keith Hellawell also has robust views on the findings and does
not believe that the laws on cannabis and Ecstasy, both seen as harmful
substances, should be softened.

A source said: "In the wake of alarming findings about the link between
drugs and crime, it is very unlikely that the Prime Minister or Home
Secretary are going to act on the recommendations. The Government is
distinctly lukewarm about the report's main two recommendations."

The findings come after a two-year inquiry conducted by a 12-strong
committee of leading lawyers, academics and police officers. The think-tank
will recommend that users should not be imprisoned for possessing cannabis,
but should instead be subjected to fines or community punishment.

This policy has been described as depenalisation rather than a complete
decriminalisation. At the moment, users face up to seven years in jail for
possession under a 29-year-old law. However, increasing numbers of police
forces are currently turning a blind eye to widespread personal use.

The report will also suggest tougher action against dealers. It will say
that anyone who is caught with more than two grams of cannabis should be
treated as a dealer and face tougher penalties. It is understood it will
also say that Ecstasy, which is estimated to be used by around half a
million people every weekend, is no longer treated as a Class A drug
alongside heroin and cocaine.

This is despite it being linked to a growing number of teenage deaths.
Instead, the report says it should be downgraded to a Class C drug, like
cannabis, which attracts milder criminal penalties and is seen as less
harmful.

Another source close to Mr Hellawell, who has formulated a 10-year action
plan to combat drug use, said: "The Government line is very clear that
legalisation will greatly increase the use of the harmful drug cannabis. It
is a myth to say the drug is not harmful. There have also been 70
Ecstasy-related deaths in the UK this year.

"Some pills have been found to have rat poisoning in them and it has
serious long-term effects. Government policy is very clear on this."

The inquiry has enjoyed semi-official status after Home Secretary Jack
Straw said he would wait for the foundation report before considering
whether drug laws should be changed. But ministers now believe that acting
on the controversial proposals would send out the wrong message and would
be guaranteed to upset anti-drug campaigners.The Police Foundation was set
up 21 years ago to allow police chiefs, lawyers, academics, businessmen and
civil servants to discuss the criminal law and the way it is applied.
Although Prince Charles has been president since its launch, royal aides
have stressed that he is "fundamentally and completely opposed to the
decriminalisation of any drugs".