Pubdate: Sat, 18 Oct 1997
Source: Belfast Telegraph 
Contact: Church firm against cannabis 
By Noel McAdam

NORTHERN Ireland's largest Protestant Church today warned against calls for
the legalisation of cannabis.

The Presbyterian Church also welcomed the appointment of Britain's first
drug Tsar, Keith Hellawell, which it said would step up the war against drugs.

The Rev Brian Boyd, of the Church's alcohol and drugs education committee,
said: "It is right than cannabis should remain illegal, because of its
dangers.

"There is also the threat that pressure groups will add other drugs onto
this campaign for legalisation.

"Hopefully Mr Hellawell will be given powers to provide real support and
encouragement, especially to little supported voluntary groups and churches
who have been working tirelessly on this for years."