POLICE DEFEND SALE OF SEIZED OR LOST GOODS

Cannabis Warning From Suicide Victim's Mother

Police have defended their decision to auction plant growing
equipment that has been confiscated from convicted criminals or is
lost property

Suffolk Constabulary is auctioning a collection of items including
hydroponics equipment, seed tray lights, and water reservoirs in
Ipswich tomorrow.

Most of the proceeds will be donated to local charities and community
groups. Suffolk police said the force regularly sold unclaimed goods
or items seized from criminals, and would destroy any items that could
not be used legitimately.

However, Maureen Griffiths, who believes cannabis drove her teenage
son Shaun to suicide, said the items should be destroyed.

A force spokeswoman said: "Material sold at auction must have a
legitimate purpose or it would not be sold, but destroyed.

"Hydroponic equipment is legitimately used by growers of a variety of
plants and is available from plant nurseries throughout the country.
Police regularly sell unclaimed items and goods seized from
convicted criminals at auction.

"The proceeds of these sales are placed into the Police Property Act
Fund. A percentage of the money raised at auction is then recycled
back into the community through police support for local groups
and charities."

Shaun Griffiths took his own life on the eve of his 17th birthday 15
years ago at the family's then home in Castle Hedingham.

Mrs Griffiths, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, later discovered Shaun
had been smoking cannabis and believed it triggered paranoid
delusions and possibly even schizophrenia which led to his suicide.
She said: "I feel sad the hydroponics equipment confiscated by the
police is being sold at auction because it may be sold to people who
would not normally .have easy access to this equipment.

"Unfortunately Government plans to reclassify cannabis from a class B
drug appears to be giving the message that cannabis is a harmless drug.

'There is now definite evidence that it's a dangerous drug and can
have a. dangerous effect on the brain, in some cases causing
schizophrenia, severe depression leading to suicide or other psychotic
problems. The police are in a difficult position because the law
change downgrading cannabis is very confusing and gives the
impression taking cannabis is legal. I wish the equipment would be
destroyed rather than resold even though the proceeds will go to charity

"Please be warned cannabis is a very dangerous drug and should
only be used under medical supervision."