DEBATE ON DRUG ABUSE NECESSARY

The idea put forward (Opinion, 9 January) regarding the provision of
cannabis cafes is not the answer. If the illegality of drug abuse is
likened to the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, what is being
advocated is akin to the legalisation of beer, but not wines and spirits.

We need to discuss and to analyse fully the pros and cons of the complete
decriminalisation of all drug abuse.

Crime is now more of a problem than hitherto. Proposed solutions of more
police and heavier punishments have not come about, or have not worked.

Recent weeks and months have seen many reports of violent deaths and
robberies, most of which were committed by addicts raising money to buy
drugs at inflated prices from non-tax-paying criminals. The fear of
becoming a victim of crime is now more intrusive than before and is
becoming a major political issue.

Anecdotal evidence suggests more than 50 per cent of all re-ported crime is
drug-related. When an addict requires up to UKP400 a day to provide for a
habit, this is understandable.

The present policy of prohibiting recreational abuse of drugs has failed.
More people abuse drugs each year, and the police and Customs and Excise
have been unable to reverse this trend, despite well-publicised anti-drug
campaigns and severe legal sanctions.

Is it not time that most drugs are decriminalised and are made commercially
available, but with tax imposed, like tobacco?

Few addicts would need to steal to buy drugs. This should reduce the number
of violent and other crimes and improve the perception of public safety.
The drug barons would be put out of business, removing many of the causes
of violent crime.

If we carry on as we are, yet more people will die violently, more will die
from inadvertent overdosing, and many more lives will be needlessly
impoverished, materially and spiritually.

JG WISHART, Milton of Balgonie Fife