BARONESS Meacher has been lambasted for suggesting that youngsters switch from alcohol to "safer" drugs but the statistics suggest she makes a good point. Official estimates show there have been 200 deaths linked to Ecstasy here since 1996. That is about 12 deaths a year, or one a month.

Between 2009 and 2010 there were 8,790 alcohol-related deaths. That is 732 a month. Meanwhile, on average, smoking kills 80,000 every year.

Just because it is more socially acceptable, drinking is by no means a safer pastime for teenagers than taking drugs. In an ideal world, it would be better if they did neither but, as the saying goes, "kids will be kids". (Both are illegal to under 18s but that does not stop them).

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