"ANNOYED Mother" (Postbag, August 2), who objects to the change of government policy in regard to cannabis, is right to point to the problems its use engenders. However, she is wrong to say that the Government have effectively legalised it.
What they have done is to lay to rest the fiction that all drugs are equally dangerous which undermined the credibility of drug prevention policies, particularly with young people. By recognising reality they have also helped the police and their partner agencies to concentrate on the more serious problems caused by "hard" drugs.
I should add that whilst cannabis undoubtedy can, and does, cause damage to individuals and families, the scale on which it does so is far less than the two most prevalent drugs, alcohol and tobacco, both of which are perfectly legal for young adults and are being increasingly abused by children and adolescents to their own and others detriment. In recognition of this, Bury
Drug Action Team has extended its remit to include alcohol misuse.
DEREK BODEN,
chairman,
Bury Drug
and Alcohol
Action Team.
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