Pubdate: Sat, 25 May 2002
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Rupert Turner

RE: LEGALISATION - OUR BEST HOPE

Sir - I would like to send my support to David Cameron for his article on 
"the drugs war" (Comment May 23). It was refreshing to see an honest 
perspective that did not pander to a middle-aged electorate that has no 
knowledge of the drugs scene.

I am 25 and have experimented with practically all the drugs currently 
available in Britain. I can understand why there is such a heroin problem. 
A fact ignored by most people is that it is very, very nice. Too nice. I 
made a promise to myself never to touch it again after my first try.

Even Mr Cameron dismissed the possibility of legalisation. This is a shame 
as it is surely our best hope. We pour millions into fighting the drug war, 
a war that cannot be won. We fill the pockets of smugglers, killers, slave 
labourers and despots.

Alternatively, we could construct drug centres, employ people currently out 
of work, and make huge profits for state coffers. Cocaine currently retails 
at UKP 50 a gram.

The state could sell a better product at UKP 35-UKP 40 a gram and use the 
profits to invigorate the inner cities, help rural areas, strengthen the 
police and the NHS.

Yes, frequency of first-time users would surely increase but with a drug 
user database we could actually control the volume of use per individual. 
An over-18s policy would also exclude those whom society is most keen to 
protect.

To me, legalisation would mean an end to the regimes in Afghanistan and 
Colombia and an end to the forced labour that goes on to fulfil our 
hedonistic needs.

Rupert Turner, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
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MAP posted-by: Beth