STATISTICALLY, it appears that the average drug addict will commit 75 crimes a year to feed their habit.

I am told that it would cost approximately £100 to legally provide them with a year's supply of heroin or cocaine.

So why, instead of having 75 distressed crime victims, don't we simply give the addicts their drugs free of charge at designated outlets?

I have never heard of any drug addict harming anyone, other than himself or herself, while under the influence of their drug, unlike those people who indulge in alcohol.

I am also told that heroin and cocaine are less harmful to the human body than alcohol.

The attraction of drugs to criminals is the high cost they can charge because drugs are illegal. Therefore, the pushers have a vested interest in ensuring that the maximum number of people becomes addicted.

Take away the profit and, hopefully, you take away the pushers.

No matter what society thinks of drug addicts, there are always going to be people who will want to use heroin, etc., so why not make sure they do it in a way that means no innocent person gets hurt.

L LAWES, Bold Street, Blackburn.