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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: New part-time role for former 'drugs tsar'
Ananova
Monday 22 Oct 2001 The Home Secretary has appointed former drugs tsar Keith Hellawell a part-time adviser on international drug issues. David Blunkett's action completes the removal of Mr Hellawell from playing a major role in UK domestic drugs policy. The Home Office says one of his main roles in the new two-day-a-week post will be to help countries who have applied for EU membership develop their anti-drug strategies. Mr Hellawell, the former Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, angered politicians when he appeared to suggest that the Cabinet should face drug tests. Reputed to be one of the highest-paid special advisers in Whitehall, earning 106,000 a year, he was criticised in Whitehall as ineffective but unlike his US counterparts had no substantial budget of his own. He only managed to get his contract renewed for a further three years last August after a personal appeal to the Prime Minister. His responsibilities as UK anti-drugs co- ordinator were taken over by Home Secretary David Blunkett after June's general election. Mr Blunkett said Mr Hellawell had done "an excellent job in helping to lay the foundations for the future". He added: "I am pleased that Keith has accepted this new role. "The development of comprehensive national drug strategies by EU candidate countries, together with the infrastructure to deliver results, is seen by the UK as being of great importance, not least because some of the countries concerned are located on key drug trafficking routes." Mr Hellawell said: "I am very pleased to be able to continue my work in helping reduce the supply of drugs to this country."
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