POVERTY IS THE DRUG

The Government’s appointment of Keith Hellawell as ‘Drug Czar’
provoked lots of misgivings. It wasn’t simply the retired policeman’s
grandiose title that aroused concern, but New Labour’s apparent
decision to imitate America’s brutal and unwinnable war on drugs.

But this week Mr Hellawell is expected to try to quell the suspicions
of doubters by praising efforts to treat rather than punish addicts -
a welcome change of emphasis.

The government’s aim - endorsed by a growing number of chief
constables - should be to target the tiny minority of addicts who
commit an extraordinary number of crimes, feeding the proceeds to
gangsters whose huge wealth lies behind virtually all police corruption.

Sending addicts to prison is pointless: the jails are awash with
drugs. They need to be treated so that they stop robbing and burgling.
Mr Hellawell will point to the success of projects for treatment
orders in Croydon, Liverpool and Gloucester, although the help offered
was patchy and the hardest cases not tackled.

If Ministers are serious, they must ensure that funds are available
for a national treatment programme; the money saved reducing crime
would amply justify the expenditure. They should also consider
returning to the old practice of getting addicts out of the hands of
criminals by giving them heroin and cocaine.

A radical government would tackle the deprivation which leads so many
to turn to drugs. But here again the social exclusion unit is making a
start. Is there a sign that reality is breaking in upon the
Government’s rhetoric?