QUESTION OF THE WEEK

SHOULD HEROIN ADDICTS BE ALLOWED TO KILL THEMSELVES?

YES Professor John Davies Government adviser on drugs IF SOMEBODY has a
desire to kill themselves through drug use, provided that it doesn't
interfere with anybody else's liberty. I don't see why they shouldn't be
allowed to do so. People appear in court and say they can't help the crime
because they are addicts. The law should be changed. A first step would be
the decriminalisation of drugs, regardless of how radical it sounds.

NO Paul Betts Father of ecstasy victim Leah I AM totally against this
dangerously misguided philosophy. I am absolutely disgusted that life is
now considered so cheap. Have we really given up caring about people? If
the man who is proposing this is a professor, I thank God I am not in his
university. I find his comments deplorable. If he has got children, would
he like to watch them die without anybody helping? If the answer is yes, he
is not fit to be a parent a professor or anything.

NO Richard Holloway Episcopal Bishop of Edinburgh ALTHOUGH no sane person
would be happy to see addicts hurting themselves, these comments do raise a
topic which needs to explored - legalisation. The current policy on drugs
isn't working and I believe we need a radical review of our thinking. The
issue of legalisation must be looked at sooner rather than later without
accusations being levelled against individuals for being pro-drugs or
wanting to see addicts kill themselves.

YES Phil Gaillie Former Scottish Tory MP I BELIEVE the professor's
statement stems from dismay and disillusionment on the basis that the drugs
scene is worsening. I can understand where he is coming from and I would
not be one to brand him as being irresponsible. Individuals have to realise
they have a responsibility to themselves. In some cases I believe cannabis
could be prescribed to ease certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis,
but I am against the legalisation of drugs as a whole.

NO Irene Adams MP for Paisley North I THINK Professor John Davies is
absolutely wrong. His views are going back to Margaret Thatcher's idea that
there is no such thing as society. But there is society and there is
community and we should all be looking out for each other. If we all give
up on each other it will be a very poor thing indeed. Heroin addicts do not
choose to be addicted and they do not want to die and the rest of us have a
responsibility to help them beat their addiction.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski