Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jan 2008
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: Sadie Gray

POLICE CHIEF DEFENDS 'SAFE' ECSTASY

Ecstasy is safer than aspirin, Richard Brunstrom, the Chief Constable 
of North Wales Police, has said.

Speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 yesterday, Mr 
Brunstrom repeated his call for the legalisation of drugs. "There's a 
lot of scaremongering and rumour-mongering about Ecstasy in 
particular," he said. "It isn't borne out by the evidence. Ecstasy is 
a remarkably safe substance, far safer than aspirin. It is far less 
dangerous than tobacco or alcohol."

He added: "The prohibition regime does not work. It transfers 
billions of pounds of our money into the hands of organised criminals."

The Government rejected a formal submission to the Home Office last 
year by Mr Brunstrom in which he called for proscribed drugs to be legalised.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart