WHERE WILL THIS LIBERAL DRUG POLICY LEAD US?

Sir- There has to be a first time for everything but I find myself in total
agreement with Tim Young (EADT, Aug 8) and his objection to the Colchester
stall holder who is selling drugs paraphernalia.

However; the leader of Colchester council's Labour group should be careful not
to find himself "off message" with No 10's "thought police" and the decidedly
softly softly approach to drugs by the Home Office.

They are already failing to meet (yet another) promise to provide professional
help to released drug offenders.

Disturbingly it has been reported that these addicts have been allowed to
"carry on as usual" whilst awaiting an appointment. This means resorting to
criminal activity to finance their drug abuse, with, as usual, Joe Public the
victim.

In the light of their half-hearted attempt to deal with this horrendous problem
- - and Tony Blair's desire to embrace everything European - we will probably
have Amsterdam-type "coffee houses" in our high streets before long.

John Kerridge

Higham