OBLIVION

I choose not to smoke, sniff glue, take opiates, or cocaine. Neither do I
choose to participate in dangerous sports such as horse riding, skiing,
climbing or paragliding. But I would never deny these to others.

I choose to have the occasional drink, a few pipes of hash at the weekend,
and, on very rare occasions, I take an E or half a ''trip''. For 30 years I
have used drugs with care and consideration for myself and others. I do it
for adventure, enlightenment and fun. I am happy and successful in my
personal and professional life and recently celebrated my silver wedding. I
do my utmost to be impeccable in everything I do.

There are many reasons people seek oblivion. Criminalising them is
counterproductive and cruel. Prohibition makes things worse and gives power
to the amoral institutions Phillips rails against.

Will her next campaign have us cordon off beaches to save ignorant people
from the possibility of developing skin cancer?