ANTI-DRUGS LOBBY CONDEMNS PARTY FOR LEGALISATION DEBATE

Anti-drugs campaigners yesterday criticised the Labour Party for
even debating the legalisation of cannabis.

The party kicked to touch a call for the decriminalisation, regulation
and taxation of the supply of marijuana and cannabis.

A motion at the party conference, supported by Labour chief whip
Emmett Stagg, was passed on to the national executive for further
consideration.

Mr Stagg said the drug was available in every village, town, city, pub
and club in the country, as well as in many schools.

"While cannabis is banned and criminalised, criminals will continue to
supply it and young people and others will continue to use it and will
be placed in the hands and control of criminals," he said.

But Europe Against Drugs (EURAD) spokeswoman, Grainne Kenny, in a
letter to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and deputy leader Joan Burton,
criticised the debate.

"I am indeed surprised that the 'new' Labour Party is wasting precious
time at your very important conference debating an issue that is
wearing thin, except of course to those who have a vested interest or
are merely armchair generals," she said.