SHOULD DRUGS BE LEGALISED?

AGAINST

How would those who wish to legalise drugs prevent reputable companies from
pushing them to increase their markets and profits? We've seen how tobacco
companies upped nicotine. Dare we give any profit-linked company like
these a licence to print money?

E.A.Henry, Doncaster

I cannot understand ex-Scotland Yard head Edward Ellison saying drugs
should be legalised (Mail). People are at last beginning to realsie how
even mild drug-taking can effect performances at work, driving, education
and can have long-term medical effects. Allowing drugs virtually to be sold
on our supermarket shelves at a fraction of the cost they now are, would
leave us with a drug-infested society... and all its consequent dangers.
Surely education and persuasion would be better ways of solving the drugs
problemthan passive permission or decriminalisation, which would be
tantamount to encouraging users.

A.E.Parry, Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire

FOR

Until two years ago, my son had been hooked on drugs for 20 years and the
misery we all went through is unimaginable to anyone who has never been in
this situation. My husband and I used to dread the phone ringing in case
it was the police to say he had been arrested yet again. He stole from us,
and lied and cheated to get money for his drugs. We pleaded with him, to
no avail because a drug users thinks only of his next fix. He married and
has two lovely sons but presents we bought for them were sold by him. We
sent money when asked to, knowing if we didn't there would be no food on
the table for our grandsons. Thankfully the third prison sentence worked
for our son; other inmates told him he didn't know how lucky he was that
his family had stood by him. If drugs are legalised it may help reduce the
misery and dispair families like us have to endure. Drugs are highly
addictive and it takes great strength of character to wean yourself off
them. Pushers and suppliers make money out of users while everyone else
has to pay.

Name and address supplied.