Pubdate: Sun, 19 May 2002
Source: Independent on Sunday (UK)
Copyright: Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/208
Author: Sophie Goodchild
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DON'T LEGALISE HEROIN, SAYS FORMER ADDICT

A former addict said yesterday that drugs should not be legalised, 
just days before the Commons Home Affairs Committee will call for the 
downgrading of ecstasy and cannabis.

Earlier this month Roger Dorrington was ordered by a court to pay UKP 
250 compensation to James White, who he alleges dealt heroin to his 
sons Joseph and Nick. Mr Dorrington had punched Mr White during an 
angry confrontation.

The penalty was withdrawn last week after a public outcry, but Mr 
Dorrington must still complete 100 hours of community service.

Yesterday his son Joseph said: "I wouldn't like any drugs to be legal 
because through my experience all drugs have brought me is pain." He 
was speaking on Radio 4's Today programme.

His father told the programme that the police were prosecuting the 
wrong people.

"The police or the system can choose who they like to prosecute. I 
think that's wrong. They should look at it as a broader issue and not 
just charge whoever makes a complaint," said Mr Dorrington, who lives 
with his sons in the New Forest, Hampshire.

Their comments will further fuel the debate on reform of the drug 
laws. This week, the Home Affairs Committee will publish its review 
of Britain's drugs policy which follows 10 months of evidence from 
experts, drugs organisations and the police.

Its members are expected to recommend reclassifying cannabis from 
Class B to Class C and ecstasy from Class A to Class B so police can 
focus their resources on tackling hard drugs.

MPs have concluded that decriminalisation of cannabis would send out 
the wrong message and lead to an increase in supply, although they 
will suggest greater access to methadone for long-term heroin users.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, announced last October that he 
was minded to reclassify cannabis while giving evidence to the Home 
Affairs Committee.

However, he said that he would wait to make his decision until he had 
considered a report from the government's drug experts, the Advisory 
Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

The council has now published its report which backed downgrading of 
cannabis while stressing the drug still posed serious health risks.

Home Office sources said Mr Blunkett will delay his decision on 
reclassifying cannabis until he has also read the detailed findings 
in the Select Committee report.
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