Source: BBC Online



Date: 8th Nov, 1999



Subject: UK: Ex-police chief calls for drugs shops





Ex-police chief calls for drugs shops



The former Chief Constable of Gwent has called for drugs

such as heroin and cannabis to be sold in shops. 



Francis Wilkinson, who resigned earlier this year before

he was due to face disciplinary charges, has urged the

legalisation of drugs and for them to be put on public

sale. 



Mr Wilkinson, writing in The Times newspaper, says the

criminal law has failed to tackle the drugs problem. 



He wants a fundamental rethink of drug laws because

the "tentacles" of the multi-million pound illegal industry

has infiltrated many parts of British society. 





He says legalising, taxing and then publically selling

drugs is the only way to beat the drugs barons. 



A spokesman for Gwent Police declined to comment

on Mr Wilkinson's opinions but said it was their job to

enforce the law as it stands. 



Francis Wilkinson was sent home by Gwent Police

Authority 18 months ago before he resigned. 



He faced three allegations, two about the every day

running of the force, the other related to a speeding

ticket. 



Although he was cleared of any criminal wrong he

resigned just days before an independent tribunal was to

have heard the complaints.