Pubdate: Thu, 23 Dec 2010 Source: Independent (UK) Copyright: 2010 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Contact: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209 Author: Jim Bowman JUST DO IT - AND EMPTY THE PRISONS It seems to be assumed that our politicians are scared to legalise drugs not out of conviction but for fear of the Daily Mail effect. Has it not occurred to them that the party which defies the Mail (and of course the USA) will quickly become lauded as wise and forward-looking when it dawns on people that crime has fallen, the prisons are short of inmates, public expenditure has been considerably reduced, and there has been little or no effect on drug-taking? Or perhaps they really are just addicted to failure. Jim Bowman, South Harrow, Middlesex - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake