HAGUE GOES TO WAR OVER DRUGS

William Hague yesterday made drugs a political battlefield at the next
general election when he unveiled draconian proposals to jail anyone
caught with cannabis within quarter of a mile of a school.

Calling for the toughest crackdown on illegal drugs Britain has seen,
the Tory leader accused the government of "turning a blind eye" to
soft drugs amid indications from cabinet minister Mo Mowlam that
police efforts should be concentrated on hard drugs like heroin and
cocaine rather than cannabis.

"It is time for a stronger, firmer, harder attack on drugs than we
have ever seen before. That is the common sense solution which Britain
wants and will get under the next Conservative government," he said.

The hardline proposals for locking up people caught with cannabis
within 400m of schools would be likely to lead to a significant
increase in the numbers jailed for minor drugs offences. Most people
caught with a small amount are released with a police caution. In
London and most inner cities, the density of schools would mean that
virtually no area was off limits.

Mr Hague's unequivocal call for a get-tough drugs policy based on
increased imprisonment sets a clear line between the Tories and Labour
and the Liberal Democrats, despite home secretary Jack Straw's
insistence that he will make no compromise over pressure for a softer
stance on cannabis use.

The Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, has reinforced party
policy of a royal commission on drugs with calls for an open, honest
discussion on the issue. The Tories hope that they can exploit
apparent top-level divisions within the government over the way
forward on drugs.