CANNABIS CAMPAIGN - PREPARE TO QUIZ THE DRUGS TSAR

New government proposals are about to be unveiled

Keith Hellawell, the Government's national anti-drug co-ordinator, is to
unveil his new proposals for controlling cannabis use tomorrow.

Mr Hellawell, the former chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, has
spent six months compiling his guidelines, which have already been
presented to Home Office minister George Howarth and a special cabinet
subcommittee.

His proposals are expected to form the basis of the Government's approach
to the drugs issue for the next three to four years. However, most
observers are expecting little fundamental change from current policy and
there is certain to be no move towards decriminalising cannabis.

Before his appointment as "Drugs Tsar", Mr Hellawell had a reputation for
being a progressive thinker in terms of policing, and liberal in his
approach to the drugs issue in general.

At a special conference of police chiefs he helped organise in 1994, Mr
Hellawell backed a move calling for the legalisation of some drugs,
including cannabis. But when he took up his new appointment he took a hard
line on drug law reform.

"I have a firm view that I could not support the legalisation of cannabis
for recreational use," he said.

"I have given it long, hard thought. I have looked at those places where
they have tried it as a possible solution and do believe it is not the
answer."

Mr Hellawell also believes cannabis use leads to harder drug habits, but
claims to be "open-minded" on whether or not cannabis should be allowed for
the treatment of various medical conditions.

Supporters of the Independent on Sunday's campaign to decriminalise
cannabis will have the chance to question the Drugs Tsar on the new
government strategy by taking part in The Drugs Debate on BBC television
and radio tomorrow.

A day-long series of programmes culminates in a studio discussion on BBC1
at 10pm with Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark putting viewers' questions to
Keith Hellawell. The debate continues on Radio 5 Live at 11.30pm with
listeners able to phone in with their questions on a special free phone
number.

"When the Government reports that heroin can cost as little as #2 a time,
it is a source of concern to every family in the country," said Kirsty
Wark.

One of the questions the Government's top drugs adviser may well face is
why he has not advocated the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to
examine all aspects of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act. Another could be why
that law fails adequately to distinguish between users and suppliers and
continues to bracket cannabis - a non-addictive "soft" drug - along with
heroin and crack-cocaine, which are clearly far more dangerous.

- - The BBC has created a special e-mail hotline: drugs@bbc.co.uk, which will
be open all day for viewers and listeners to send in their questions and
opinions. There is also a telephone hotline (0181-752 7750) for those
wishing to take part in the television debate. Anyone wanting to
participate in the radio discussion should dial freephone 0500 909693.

e-mail your comments to cannabis@independent.co.uk