Pubdate: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 Date: 09/28/1999 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Author: Mark Freeman * It is undeniable that a link exists between illegal drugs and crimes such as burglary and mugging, but the extent and nature of the connection is far less clear than government spokesmen suggest (Police to get new drug test powers, September 27). The article refers to home office research indicating that in five inner-city areas 61% of all those arrested had taken at least one illegal drug. However, at most, only 28% of that 61% involved heroin or cocaine. That would suggest that about 17% of crimes involved criminals who had recently taken heroin or cocaine. This would, presumably, have included a considerable number caught in possession rather than in crimes against innocent people and their property. It is also impossible to know whether drugs were just incidental to the crime. So the number of crimes committed against people or property as a result of drug use might not be as great as the government suggests. The draconian measures being proposed are in response to a genuine concern among the electorate about the high levels of crime such as theft and burglary. But while the proposed measures may have some small effect in reducing such crime, will they justify the huge administrative cost to the police and prison services? And will they justify a considerable erosion of our civil liberties? MARK FREEMAN London