Pubdate: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 Source: Independent (UK) Copyright: 2010 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Contact: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209 Author: Richard Ingrams IT'S HARDLY A WAR ON DRUGS - MORE LIKE A SKIRMISH It is reasonable to assume that in Malaysia, where a British woman was this week sentenced to death by hanging for dealing in heroin, there is less of a drug problem than there is in Britain. I am not suggesting that we should necessarily follow the example of the Malaysians. I merely raise the issue to point out how inappropriate and misleading it is for people in this country to talk about a "war on drugs" - one which they usually go on to say has singularly failed. But there has been no war, and certainly nothing of the kind that Malaysians would recognise as such. I remember in the distant days, when I frequented trendy West End clubs, being surprised to find how casually many of the members sniffed cocaine in the toilets. Since then I have often seen drug dealers selling cannabis on the streets of the capital. If there was a war going on, the only casualties were the unfortunate addicts, not the dealers. The point was vividly made by the former Labour minister Bob Ainsworth, who this week joined the ranks of those politicians and pundits calling for the legalisation of all hard drugs. Ainsworth proudly pointed out that during his time as a minister he had made some progress, instancing the advice given to clubs and discos that they should provide water for those taking ecstasy. He may consider that to be magnifique, but it certainly isn't la guerre. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D