Best choice is to legalise drugs

SIR - Richard Branson is right. It must be obvious to all but the most intellectually challenged that the so-called ‘War on Drugs’ is a dismal failure.

Literally billions have been spent trying to control the illegal drugs industry with absolutely zero effect.

Can’t our politicians learn anything from history? Or do they simply lack the guts? When the US introduced ‘Prohibition’ it quickly led to a proliferation of organised crime on an unprecedented scale. But at least that was mostly confined to US soil.

The ‘turf’ of today's drugs gangs is worldwide.

By decriminalising all narcotics the whole evil business would collapse overnight, the intercartel and turf wars would cease, burglaries and muggings by users who need money to feed their habits would end, and massive numbers of police and other enforcement staff could be diverted to more productive projects.

The money thus saved could be far better spent on massive reeducation and rehabilitation of the addicts and would-be addicts – and there would still be a whole mountain of cash left over which could be used to pay off international debts – which in our case has just topped £1trillion.

And don’t let's hear that old chestnut, ‘it would send the wrong message’. No it wouldn’t.

Not if a massive education programme was launched such as the anti-smoking one. In Portugal where cannabis has been decriminalised consumption has actually gone down.

Of course there will still be users – there will always be a minority who will choose to ignore the facts – after all, we still have smokers, but it’s no-longer considered ‘cool’ so it’s no-longer the norm.

And anyway, if people want to destroy their own bodies why shouldn’t they? The cost of their eventual NHS treatment could be recovered from the over-thecounter sales of their respective fixes – just like it is currently via tobacco tax.

In any case the ‘War’ is clearly lost.

It’s time to stop wasting any more money on a hopeless cause, time for a new approach.

And it’s time for our politicians to take some truly courageous decisions to turn a demonstrated consumer demand into a useful money-spinner while at the same time cutting domestic crime and dealing a mighty body blow to the drugs barons.

Ron Turvey,

Stanmore Crescent, Luton

Road agreement sought

SIR - Luton Conservatives applaud the generosity of the Coalition Government’s £16 million grant towards the proposed inner ring road in this tough economic climate.

It is understood that Luton Borough Council has to find £8million to fund the total estimated cost of the project of £24m.

It is understood that Luton Borough Council will introduce £1.25m in cash from reserves and land and it is hoped that Network Rail will introduce land to the value of £3m.

This leaves a shortfall of £3.75m.

This, it is hoped, can be raised from a Section 106 agreement applied to a Power Court Development.

Conservative Cllr John Titmuss feels that the 106 agreement will not raise this kind of money in the current economy, when in good times for property development, 106 agreements produced very little income to Luton Borough Council.

At a recent council meeting Cllr Titmuss queried Labour’s Cllr Roy Davis, executive member for the environment regeneration about this.

Cllr Davis told the council that British Land, the majority shareholder, was happy with this. A number of businesses will lose their premises and those who have rented theirs for a decade will get very little compensation. Luton cannot afford to lose any firms or jobs.

John Young Chairman of Luton Conservative Association Ours is a land of plenty Sir - So the House of Lords doesn’t think it is fair to cap benefits at £26,500, while someone who is working would have to earn around £35,000 to achieve that sort of tax- free income.

I can see why people walk across deserts, then sail the seas in overcrowded boats, then cross the whole of Europe and spend a year in Calais trying to get passage to the promised land.

Jeff Morgan Rylands Heath, Luton Cost of getting tax paid Sir - Your story last week claiming more than 20 per cent of Luton residents failed to pay their council tax last year is incorrect.

What it should have said is that 20 per cent of local residents did not pay their council tax when they received a demand or a reminder, so we had to issue 13,000 summons to recover the debt.

It’s worth noting that every time we begin proceedings to recover debt, it has a knock-on effect on all local taxpayers because it means more money spent on administration and less money for local services.

Cllr Robin Harris,

Portfolio holder for finance at Luton Borough Council

Vital we get your support

SIR - Imagine if you had a disability, or if you were older, vulnerable and in need of support? You would expect to be treated with dignity and respect by those you trust to care for you, wouldn’t you?

Sadly, all too often we are hearing of cases where vulnerable people have been badly let down by the care system. This week we mark Dignity Action Day, a day devoted to raising awareness of the basic human right of being treated with dignity. I’d like to ask your readers to get behind this vital cause.

There are more than 10 million people with disabilities in the UK.

Without regular respite from their daily struggles, many disabled people – and their carers – face a bleak future of physical and social isolation, depression, ill health and despair. I work for Vitalise, a fantastic charity that supports disabled people and carers by providing desperately- needed respite breaks.

We understand that our guests deserve to be treated just as anyone else would expect to be treated – with dignity, respect and choice, and we are passionate about this important principal.

Vitalise helps thousands of disabled people and carers each year, but there are so many more in urgent need of help, so I’d like to ask your readers to support us on this important occasion. We don’t get a penny from central government and rely on the generosity of the public to continue our vital work.

To find out how you can support Vitalise or for more information about our essential respite breaks, please call 0303 303 0147 or visit www.vitalise.org.uk

Colin Brook ,

Vitalise

Peter Pan fundraising

SIR - We are calling on teachers across the East of England to sprinkle a little fairy dust, think lovely thoughts and get their pupils involved in Peter Pan Week 2012 (February 27 to March 2) to raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

To register simply visit www.peterpanweek.co.uk We all know that when children are sick, they want nothing more than to have their parents by their side, and the money raised from Peter Pan Week will help make this happen.

All money raised will fund parent and family accommodation at Great Ormond Street Hospital enabling more mums and dads to sleep next to their child or stay nearby.

We are encouraging schools to transform their classrooms into Neverland and get children involved in all kinds of exciting Peter Pan-themed activities.

To fire your imaginations, the Peter Pan website includes some fantastic tips to help you bring Neverland to life.

From making the perfect Peter Pan costume, to guidance on how to stage your own Peter Pan production, the website is a fabulous resource to make sure your Peter Pan Week goes without a hitch. We really couldn’t do this without your help which is why every child who participates will receive a special Peter Pan league pin badge to say thank you. Each school will also be sent a certificate.

Your support can make such a difference – just £15 will fund the upkeep of a room for what could be one of the most difficult nights for a family.

Please sign up now and help keep the magic alive for our very ill children and their families.

Anne Race,

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity

ME help for the young

SIR - At this time of year, many young people will be considering university options and many parents and guardians will be worrying about them leaving home for the first time.

Leaving home to go to university can be an exciting and challenging time – and, if the truth be told, a little bit scary, especially if you have a serious medical condition.

Action for ME, the leading UK charity for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and their carers, has now set up a Student Hub section on its website www.actionforme.org.uk It is packed with useful facts to help young people manage their condition and links to an interactive forum for peer support during their time at university or college.

ME is a fluctuating chronic illness affecting 250,000 people in the UK.

Many first became ill at school, college or university.

It may be diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome.

Symptoms include persistent exhaustion, muscle and/or joint pain, sleep disturbance, feeling ’flu-like and having problems with memory and concentration.

Sir Peter Spencer,

Chief Executive of Action for ME

Run marathon for charity

SIR - Have any of your readers been lucky enough to secure a place in this year’s Brighton Marathon through the public ballot? World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) is calling for those who have secured their own place in the 2012 race to consider fundraising for us. It’s really easy to join Team WCRF and in return we offer full support with training and nutritional advice, an essential runners kit containing your unique WCRF running vest, a fundraising pack and your own personalised online sponsorship page.

Scientists estimate that about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented by following a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.

So not only will taking part in the Brighton Marathon help you get into the kind of habits that can reduce your own cancer risk but the money raised will help us continue to fund our research and education programmes on cancer prevention.

If you are interested in running for us, visit www.wcrf-uk.org/ fundraising or call 0207 343 4200.

Natalie Tarrant,

Senior Fundraising Manager at World Cancer Research Fund

Justified spending

SIR - Following the correspondence in recent weeks regarding the Love Luton festival and its cost, I am writing in support of the concerts and the festival as a whole.

By the time the festival comes around we will all know whether Luton will be a city or not, but regardless of the result there will be a lot to celebrate.

I think that the weekend will be a fantastic opportunity to see the Olympic torch coming to the town, something which is a once-in-alifetime event – I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t have been happy if nothing had been done to mark the occasion.

I agree that a lot of money is being spent on the festival in uncertain economic times and can understand the reservations of some people as a result, but if the weekend shows that Luton can put on successful events and can change the perceptions that many hold about our town, I believe it will be money well spent.

Events like the festival and the carnival bring our communities together and celebrate the diversity that we have, which must surely be a positive thing.

I hope that people will turn up to this weekend and support it, because if we don’t I’m sure the council will not plan an event of this scale again, which would be a shame. My only request is that the music acts cater to a wide range of ages and aren’t just chart bands for the teenagers.

John Powell,

West Street, Dunstable