A FAIR, balanced and informed view is probably the most responsible way to approach and report the issue of 'drugs' as many members of the community will glean their information about 'drugs' from the media of which you are a part ('Busted,' LET, Saturday, September 4).

For example in the "We will root out those dealing with our young" section of the article, it informs us that "police admit many of the county's crime problems are drug related." This implies that cannabis (the article was about a 'massive cannabis factory....uncovered by police in a dramatic swoop') and cannabis use are a main part of this crime equation.

This I would find very surprising -- surely heroin and crack cocaine are more related to theft, burglary and crime in the region as these substances are highly addictive and their users will resort to stealing to fund their addiction?

I also wonder if alcohol would be included in you one-size-fits-all 'drug' label?

There are massive amounts of crime related to its misuse, not to mention domestic violence and other social ills.

A little more care and discernment in the reporting style would help us all approach the thorny issue of 'drugs' in a more effective way.

For example: if a young person tries cannabis and finds it is not the terrible demon as portrayed in the media, they may suspect the media have been less than honest about heroin and cocaine etc., too and this is where problems can begin.

Between 1995 and 1999, England and Wales' drug related deaths broke down as follows: Ecstasy killed 78, Amphetamine 213, Cocaine 227, Solvents 366, Opiates (heroin, morphine and methadone) 4,743, Alcohol 200,000-400,000 approximately., Tobacco 1,000,000-plus. (Source: ONS Health Statistic Quarterly, Spring 2001).

IAN HODGSON, Eldon Road, Blackburn.