Drug use and associated crime are escalating out of control as international drug gangs grow rich at our expense. Drugs have their dangers, but people are prepared to take the risks, as with the legal drugs alcohol and tobacco. Would it not be far better to legalise all drugs under strict regulation?

This would eliminate the criminal black market, deprive organised crime of its greatest source of income and allow adults to decide for themselves which risks they are prepared to take.

F Smit The Hague, the Netherlands

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