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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Letter: Time to change drug policies
Steve Clements Yorkshire Evening Press, UK
Tuesday 22 Feb 2005 KEVIN Curran's film sounds a very useful tool in the continuing struggle against the drug problems encountered on the estates of York and across Britain (February 17). Any information put into the public arena regarding the complex problems of drug use and abuse can only be a good thing. Unfortunately, despite more than four decades of prohibition, there has been an increase in drug use year on year. Availability of all illegal drugs has become easier and cheaper. The Legalise Cannabis Alliance has been trying to talk to politicians about one specific illegal drug now for several years and, despite former home secretary David Blunkett calling for an open and honest debate, politicians will not talk about these issues with the people of this country. The good work of groups such as Connexions and Compass drug group are only a dot on the landscape and much more needs to be done. Unfortunately part of the bigger picture must require changes in law and in society's attitude to the use of drugs. Remember there is little difference between alcohol and tobacco and heroin or cannabis - except in law. People may struggle to understand policies based on de-criminalisation, but having shooting galleries, NHS prescriptions of addictive drugs to those in need, needle exchange schemes, would all help to reduce massively the crime associated with drugs of high addiction. A scheme of prescribing heroin in Switzerland has led to a 70 per cent reduction in drug-related crime. Steve Clements, The Legalise Cannabis Alliance, Church Street, York.
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