Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jul 2001
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: LAURA PEEK

50-MILE ROUND TRIP FOR A 'SAFE' REEFER

A PARAPLEGIC cannabis smoker celebrated a controversial decision by Lambeth 
police not to arrest drug users carrying small amounts of marijuana by 
lighting a joint on the steps of Brixton police station yesterday.

Chris Baldwin, 51, who smokes cannabis to ease spasms in his legs, had 
travelled from his home in Worthing for the first day of the six-month 
pilot scheme. Officers following the new guidelines confiscated Mr 
Baldwin's drugs and issued a brief warning.

The project has divided community leaders. Some say it will free police to 
purge the area of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Others say that 
the police are washing their hands of young people living on some of 
Britain's toughest estates, many of whom are driven into crime by drug habits.

"It is a cop-out," said Ros Griffiths, who a fortnight ago opened an 
employment cafe on Railton Road. "I work on the frontline with drug takers 
and also at Brixton prison with dealers. This policy sends a dangerous 
mixed message. Drugs are either illegal or they are not. And until Tony 
Blair's Government legalises ganja, it is illegal. It is a double standard."

But the head of the council-owned Brixton Pondok Steps community centre 
welcomed the policy. Eston Barton, 40, said: "I am a smoker and drinker of 
cannabis so I'm in favour. Smokers will be more relaxed because of the 
policy. It's the people on heroin and cocaine the police should focus on."

Manolya Hasan, 40, a mother whose children use the centre, agreed. "It's 
the harder drugs that are bringing people down. The shootings are all to do 
with hard drugs."

A drug dealer on the estate who would not be named said the policy made no 
difference to him. "I'm still breaking the law. It will not help dealers. 
This law is not for me, it's for the people who use cannabis."

The Lambeth scheme could be adopted all over the country if it is deemed a 
success. It is the creation of Commander Brian Paddick who says that 
processing a single cannabis smoker, who usually ends up with a fine of 
less than pounds50, takes two officers off the beat for several hours.

The Government has denied that the scheme, which coincides with the start 
this week of tougher sentencing for violent criminals, is the first step 
towards legalisation of cannabis. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom