PUB LTE: TIME FOR
DRUG RETHINK
Source: Essex
Evening Gazette [UK]
Pub LTE: Time
for drug rethink
Pub Date:
Wednesday 5 November 2003
Author: Don
Barnard
Contact:
gazette_postbag@thisisessex.co.uk
TIME FOR DRUG
RETHINK
WITHOUT knowing
all the facts it is difficult to comment on court reports published in the
media. Take for example; "Cannabis: man fined" (Gazette October 31).
The reported
said the defendant pleaded guilty to "possession" of 135mgs of
cannabis with an alleged £5 street value. (Five pounds for 135mg? That makes it
£37/gram, £1000/oz - unlikely! It's worth more like £0.69, giving £5/gram.)
Notwithstanding
that, let me say up front, I do not condone this crime. The defendant is
clearly a danger to society. And, his
antisocial behaviour will most certainly had an derogatory effect on his
neighbours quality of life!
So, in
principle, I support the police for arresting him and referring the offence to
the Criminal Prosecution Service [CPS]. Why? Because possession of cannabis is
a crime and it's the policeman's job, to detect crime and bring the criminal to
justice.
My gripe is with
the CPS: What overriding factor[s] prompted them to bringing this case forward?
What useful purpose did it serve? Who did it benefit?
One final point
- does anyone know how will the police deal with cases like this after reclassification
on January?
Time for
justification!
Don Barnard