IT'S HARDLY A WAR ON DRUGS - MORE LIKE A SKIRMISH

It is reasonable to assume that in Malaysia, where a British woman was
this week sentenced to death by hanging for dealing in heroin, there
is less of a drug problem than there is in Britain.

I am not suggesting that we should necessarily follow the example of
the Malaysians.

I merely raise the issue to point out how inappropriate and misleading
it is for people in this country to talk about a "war on drugs" - one
which they usually go on to say has singularly failed. But there has
been no war, and certainly nothing of the kind that Malaysians would
recognise as such.

I remember in the distant days, when I frequented trendy West End
clubs, being surprised to find how casually many of the members
sniffed cocaine in the toilets. Since then I have often seen drug
dealers selling cannabis on the streets of the capital.

If there was a war going on, the only casualties were the unfortunate
addicts, not the dealers. The point was vividly made by the former
Labour minister Bob Ainsworth, who this week joined the ranks of those
politicians and pundits calling for the legalisation of all hard drugs.

Ainsworth proudly pointed out that during his time as a minister he
had made some progress, instancing the advice given to clubs and
discos that they should provide water for those taking ecstasy. He may
consider that to be magnifique, but it certainly isn't la guerre.