CHANGES to Section 8 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1971 made by this Government have been introduced without much protest but on closer examination they are incredibly draconian.

Basically anyone who organises an event, runs a nightclub or manages a late night venue can, potentially, face 14 years behind bars if police find evidence of drug taking on the premises.

This means that you can run the cleanest venue in Christendom but if an unknown individual decides to bring in drugs and consumes them then the owner/manager of that club/venue can be held liable.

It might be seen as a great way to get "tough on crime" but the consequences of such action have not been thought through.

What if an owner/manager confiscates drugs will he/she be as keen to hand them over to the police?

What if someone falls ill inside a nightclub having taken a dodgy substance, will the management be as quick to call an ambulance and inform the police?

Also innocent people could face prosecution.

The changes to this Act have undermined a lot of good work that had been going on to get to grips with the dangers of drug use.

On the other hand, the Government is looking to push ahead with 24 hours licensing in a vain attempt to dilute our "yob" drinking culture by making it easier to consume the drug alcohol.

In the spirit of the changes made to the law, why don't the Government in the same way make licences liable for damages to property and persons by people under the influence of alcohol.

The prospect of14 years behind bars might make some establishments think twice about their indiscriminate promotions which are very obviously designed to get people sickeningly drunk.

Andy McCormack

Scale Hall

Lancaster