COMEDIAN CALLS FOR DRUGS RETHINK

Ben Elton is to warn MSPs that he believes the war on drugs has been
lost and legalisation should be considered.

The comedian and author will be at Holyrood on Wednesday afternoon to
talk about the UK's narcotics policy, which he tackled in his novel
High Society.

He will tell the cross-party group on alcohol and drugs that all
possible solutions should be looked at.

Elton was invited to the Scottish Parliament after hearing about
drugs problems in the north east of Scotland.

He will claim that current drug policy is an "abject failure of which
we are all victims".

I have taken the funeral services of people in their 20s who have
taken overdoses and have seen the unremitting tragedy of what drugs
do to people and their families Rev Stephen Brown

Elton said: "The so-called 'war' on drugs has been lost. I intend to
call for a new debate on the problem which considers without
prejudice all possible solutions including that of legalisation."

The writer said the government's "ostrich-like mentality" had led to
communities being at the mercy of "criminal elements" while police
try to enforce laws which he believes are unenforceable.

It was an appearance on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show which led
to the invitation to the Scottish Parliament.

Fellow guest, Fraserburgh minister Rev Stephen Brown, was intrigued
by Elton's take on the drugs issue and raised the suggestion with his
local MSP and cross-party group member Stewart Stevenson.

Funeral Services

Rev Brown said: "As a minister, I have taken the funeral services of
people in their 20s who have taken overdoses and have seen the
unremitting tragedy of what drugs do to people and their families.

"When I got in touch with Ben to see if he would be interested in
coming up to the Scottish Parliament, he said he was up for it on the
understanding that he did not set himself up as any kind of expert
but that he passionately believes that drugs legislation doesn't work.

"The reason he said yes is that he is doing it out of a sense of duty
as a citizen to take the opportunity to have his say."