Pubdate: Wed, 10 Nov 1999
Date: 11/10/1999
Source: Times, The (UK)
Author: Mr Andrew J. Hobson

Sir, Francis Wilkinson, the former Chief Constable of Gwent Police
(2nd opinion, November 8), raises the superficially attractive
argument that drug-related crime would be reduced or eliminated by the
legalisation and regulation of controlled drugs.

As a criminal defence lawyer I recognise that the problem of
drug-linked crime (letter, November 5) is very serious. At least 60
per cent of the matters I deal with have some connection with drugs,
ranging from offences of possession and supply to addiction-induced
crimes such as theft and burglary.

However, I believe that any suggestion that legalisation of drugs will
solve the problem is flawed in that it does not take into account
enough the viciously addictive nature of drugs, especially heroin. If
drugs were legalised I suspect that a significant number of people who
do not take drugs would experiment with them and become addicted. Huge
resources would then have to be invested in rehabilitating those addicts.

It is also my experience that drug addicts often suffer from feelings
of low self-esteem and this problem would not be alleviated by the
legalisation of drugs.

The current drugs policy in Britain may not be tackling effectively
the huge problem of drug-related crime, but I believe the answer lies
in ploughing more resources into rehabilitation programmes, both in
prison and in the community.

Yours faithfully, ANDREW J. HOBSON 44 York Road, Swindon SN1 2LE.