'SOFT' AND 'HARD' DRUGS

I am not alone in maintaining that any attempt to draw a distinction
between so called 'hard' and 'soft' drugs is unrealistic (letters, January
6) and even dangerous in seeking to wish away the proven harm that drugs
like amphetamines and cannabis can do to their users: I have not
experienced any disagreement with any minister on this.

All drugs are harmful, in some way, and enforcement against all illegal
substances continues. Guidance and information produced by Government and
its agencies for parents, professionals and young people themselves set out
clearly the risks and consequences of taking illegal drugs, not defining
any as 'soft' or 'hard'. The DfEE's recent guidelines for schools, which I
endorsed, are no different.

I have acknowledged that some drugs cause particular damage to individuals
and the community, and that we should address their availability and misuse
as a particular priority. This does not mean that we have given up on the
others. All our objectives must be to reduce young people's drug misuse,
to reduce drug-related crime, to increase participation in effective
treatment programmes and reduce the availability of drugs.

All these initiatives are embodied in the new ten-year strategy, TACKLING
DRUGS TO BUILD A BETTER BRITAIN. To achieve them Government departments
and agencies - both statutory and voluntary - are increasingly working
closely together at local, national and international level. Drug action
teams across the country have recently submitted to me their action plans
for the coming year: and over 200 million pounds extra has been allocated
over the next three years for anti-drugs activity.

This will fund programmes to reduce drug-related crime and to get those
with the most serious problems into treatment and rehabilitation, as well
as supporting the development of more sustained and better prevention and
education programmes in schools and community settings. I shall report
progress and set out an annual plan of action for the United Kingdom in the
spring.

KEITH HELLAWELL
UK Ant-Drugs Co-ordinator
Cabinet Office
Room 60A / 2
Horse Guards Road
London SW1P 3AL