BRUNSTROM DRUG CALL SLAMMED AS SHODDY 'SIXTH-FORMER WORK'

THE Government's former drug tsar, Keith Hellawell, yesterday blasted
Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom's argument to legalise drugs,
claiming it was like something written by a sixth former.

North Wales' Police's top cop has argued the current laws on drugs are
not working and a radical rethink is needed.

"In a nutshell, I'm advocating the repeal of the Misuse of Drugs Act
and the consequent legalisation and regulation of all drugs," said Mr
Brunstrom, who describes drugs prohibition as "unworkable and immoral".

"Central to existing UK drugs policy is the ABC classification
system.

"It is now indefensible both legally and ethically."

But his comments have sparked an angry backlash, not only from Mr
Hellawell, but from North Wales politicians.

Mr Hellawell, 65, was the Government's main drugs adviser for four
years until 2002, and oversaw the reclassification of cannabis.

But he said: "I do not support legalisation at all. [Mr Brunstrom's]
is a bit of an amusing contribution.

"I have read the paper and I find it inconsistent, difficult and
extremely long.

"He is very emotive, and talks about the drugs war and drug
prohibition, like the kind of thing written by a sixth-former with
very little knowledge of the subject."

He added: "If you legalise them completely, you are legalising them
for recreational users only and allowing them to be available in the
same way as alcohol and tobacco.

"You will get control and regulation, not by the Government, but by
the criminals."

Deeside MP Mark Tami said: "Drugs policy is not black and white. A
more considered approach has to be taken, one that is based on medical
evidence and not just on the hypothesis that prohibition does not work.

"The latest studies, based on heroin and not alcohol, show that in
Australia there was a huge fall in crime and overdoses when access to
the drug was reduced.

"There was also a significant rise in users seeking
treatment.

"My grave fear is that legalisation could encourage more youngsters to
try the drug and consequently to a sharp rise in users."

Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant added: "The harder but more
sustainable solution is to tackle the causes of drug abuse in the
first place.

"Drug use is strongly linked to deprivation and poverty, which is why
so much money has been invested in lifting people - particularly
children - out of poverty."

Mr Brunstrom has said: "Illegal drugs are now in plentiful supply, and
have become consistently cheaper in real terms over the years.

"The number of users has increased dramatically.

"Drug related crime has soared equally dramatically as a direct
consequence of the illegality of some drugs, and the huge profits from
illegal trading have supported a massive rise in organised
criminality."