LET'S BE OPEN ABOUT DRUGS

MY stint as a trainee policeman in Hull last week took me on my first drug
raid and brought me to the conclusion that Charles Kennedy is right.

We do need a Royal Commission on drugs.

A surprising number of police officers at junior level are depressed about
a war on drugs they are losing and feel that one solution is to legalise
marijuana because it isn't addictive.

Senior officers disagree, but those on the front line see their superiors,
MPs and even 'drug tsar' Keith Hellawell as 'politicians' with no idea
about the real problems facing police every day.

We MPs do keep our heads down on the issue. I certainly have. Anyone who
peers over the parapet gets shot at and loud lobbies on both sides demand
blanket liberalisation or out-and-out war. We've no idea.

This is why we need a Royal Commission. Let it come to a consensus based
on information rather than loud-mouthed ignorance. Then we can make some
sensible decisions.

Not before.