AUTHORITY BACKING BRUNSTROM IN CALL FOR DRUGS LAW REFORMS

NORTH Wales Police Authority chiefs yesterday backed calls for a
radical overhaul of drug laws by the chief constable -- to the fury of
opponents.

Although the authority stepped back from supporting Chief Constable
Richard Brunstrom's call to legalise all drugs, members urged a review
of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

But as Mr Brunstrom hailed the support a "fantastic result" Clwyd West
MP David Jones said the Home Office had confirmed it was going to boot
his ideas into touch.

The chief constable's calls have provoked a storm of controversy with
widespread condemnation and supporters.

NWPA members yesterday agreed the current laws should be replaced with
a "Misuse of Substances Act."

They want any new law to be based on the "strong regulation of all
forms of drugs" including alcohol and tobacco and with a "hierarchy of
harm."

NWPA chairman Ian Roberts said: "We welcome the important contribution
by the Chief Constable to the ongoing debate.

"It is clear that the current approach isn't working.

"We, therefore, urge a review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its
possible replacement by a Misuse of Substances Act founded on the
strong regulation of all forms of drugs and based upon a new hierarchy
of harm that includes alcohol and nicotine."

At a meeting with the authority yesterday, Mr Brunstrom said: "I
despair of the flat-earthers who are refusing to look at the evidence."

He claimed current drugs' policy was "irrational, illogical, immoral
and hypocritical."

Mr Brunstrom added: "Most importantly it doesn't work."

He said he regarded those who managed drug production as
evil.

"What better than to cut their profits, put them out of business?" Mr
Brunstrom said.

"We have handed over the production, control and supply of the entire
thing to active criminals. How can that possibly be a good outcome of
government policy?"

But yesterday Mr Brunstrom's calls were dismissed by ministers before
his report on the contentious topic has even been handed in to the
Government.

Home Officer minister Vernon Coaker said he disagreed with the chief
constable, insisting tough law enforcement was the only way to tackle
problems with illegal substances.

Mr Jones raised the row in Parliament after claiming the region had
been "let down" by the police authority's decision.

The Tory politician asked Mr Coaker if he agreed with the Association
of Chief Police Officers "when it describes calls by the Chief
Constable of North Wales Police to decriminalise all drugs a 'counsel
of despair'."

The Minister told MPs: "We do agree with the Acpo statement and we
disagree with the chief constable of North Wales.

"Tough law enforcement has to be a part of any drugs
strategy."

Mr Jones told the Daily Post: "I am very pleased that the minister has
taken such a robust line on the Chief Constable's suggestions.

"The police authority's decision is disappointing, but not surprising.
"The chief constable seems always to get his way with the authority,
most recently in the case of the decision to set up a mounted unit."

Last week Mr Brunstrom's views came under fire from Alyn and Deeside
MP Mark Tami who said claiming legalising heroin was the only way
forward was "blinkered and dangerous".

Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sergeant said a more sustainable solution
would be to tackle the causes of drug abuse.

But while the move was widely condemned, the Liberal Democrats were
broadly supportive, although they claimed changes in the law must not
be based on the "whims of various Home Secretaries".

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said: "What is
needed is a more logical and evidence-based approach that is not
constantly altered depending on the whims of various home
secretaries."