CHIEF OF POLICE IN HEROIN LAW ROW

A STORM again erupted around controversial police chief Richard
Brunstrom yesterday when he advocated the legalising of drugs.

The Chief Constable of North Wales, who has suggested a needle-vending
machine outside a police station, wants to see heroin made available
on the NHS.

Ex-drugs tsar Keith Hellawell compared his arguments with those of an
"ill-informed sixth-former." And the Association of Chief Police
Officers has described his report as "a counsel of despair."

But Mr Brunstrom, won backing from his police authority to send his
ideas to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

Mr Brunstrom, dubbed the Mad Mullah of Traffic Taliban for his war on
speeding drivers, described current policy criminalising drug users
and suppliers as "irrational, illogical, hypocritical and bankrupt".

He said there was a battle with "the flat earthers" who refuse to look
at evidence showing drug laws need a radical change.

Mr Brunstrom cited inability to stop drugs flooding the country as a
reason for new laws.

He said that because drugs are cheaper than ever, Britain has reached
saturation point in the number of addicts.

Heroin and cocaine users accounted for 56 per cent of all
crime.

Addicts should not be locked up but be seen as victims. There was an
opportunity to change their behaviour, he said.