CANNABIS MADNESS

DRUG experts in West Yorkshire today condemned plans for police dealing
with cannabis users to follow a "three spliffs and you're out" rule.

Families who have seen children's lives wrecked by addiction also attacked
the controversial proposals.

Under the scheme, users stopped once or twice with small amounts of
cannabis - or even spotted smoking "joints" in the street - will simply
have their drugs confiscated before being given a warning.

Only people caught three times in a year will face tougher action, such as
a caution or arrest and charge for possession.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which has drawn up the
plans, says the guidelines will free up more resources for the war on hard
drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.

But today Kristine Smith, of West Yorkshire-based drugs support group
GASPED, said: "What message is this sending out to young people?

"They know the first two times they get stopped with cannabis, they will be
dealt with as if they had been caught with cigarettes or alcohol. Surely
that can't be right?"

Mum Christine Shepherd, whose son Darren, now 27, became hooked on heroin
after starting to dabble with cannabis at 15, also hit out at the plans.

Mrs Shepherd, from Belle Isle in Leeds, said: "From first-hand experience I
know just how drugs devastate families.

"I firmly believe that, for some people, cannabis leads to more serious
drugs - and anything that makes people more likely to try it is surely wrong."