Sir, I write in response to your report (21 June) on the death of Andrew
Woodlock, in which David Macauley, the campaigns director of Scotland
Against Drugs, was quoted as saying, "I'm sure Mrs Woodlock would like to
know if her son could have used this drug in a safe way you can't,"
before claiming that harm reduction groups are "peddling death."

But in an accompanying report it is claimed Andrew suffered brain damage
because of drinking excessive amounts of water, a similar cause of death
to Leah Betts. It is the harm reduction groups who are attempting to
educate potential ecstasy users of the dangers of consuming too much
water.

That Andrew's friend, Steven, should admit, "We didn't know anything
about it at all", is surely a strong indication that more and better drugs
education is needed in our schools and homes.

Mr Macauley's zero tolerance approach cannot hope to succeed. By
attempting to prevent proper drugs education, as provided by the likes of
Crew 2000, it is Mr Macauley himself who is in danger of "peddling death"
as he turns a blind eye to the users of ecstasy and other drugs and allows
them to die through their ignorance of safer drug use.

Errol Garbut,
St Leonards Street, Edinburgh