DRUG PRICES PLUMMET IN UK

The price of illegal drugs has fallen sharply in the past 12 years,
triggering fears that high alcohol costs could push more young people
towards drug use.

The prices of cocaine, heroin and cannabis have all dropped since 1990,
while the cost of an ecstasy tablet has fallen from ?18.80 to just ?7,
according to Home Office figures.

Meanwhile, the cost of legal, taxable drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol
has risen over the same period - which critics said sent a mixed message to
young people.

Harry Shapiro, spokesman for the charity Drugscope, said the price falls
were both an effect and a cause of growing drug demand in the UK.

"It reflects the popularity of illegal drugs amongst an ever-widening group
of people.

"Cocaine, for instance, has become increasingly popular. Although the drug
still has got this champagne image attached to it, nevertheless it's been
coming down in price and is now more attractive for people, more affordable
for people, than ever before".

'Pick-and-mix'

Liberal Democrat MP David Laws, who obtained the Home Office figures, said
the prices made a nonsense of existing policies drawing a strict line
between illegal and legal drugs.

He feared the lower prices of illegal drugs "could force more young people
towards drugs, particularly in the more deprived areas."

"If as a society we have got a situation where there are economic reasons
for people to use illegal drugs then I think it is time for us to have an
objective, rational look at our drugs policy," he said.

But Mr Shapiro was sceptical that price alone could be driving youngsters
away from alcohol and towards illegal drugs.

"We've always been a pick-and-mix drug culture in this country. People who
are on the illicit drugs scene will be drinking alcohol and smoking
cigarettes as well.

"It may be that the law is a certain deterrent for people who regularly
visit pubs to 'step over the line'.

"But we are a poly-drug-using society and have been for ages".

Customs issues

Both Mr Laws and Mr Shapiro said the statistics raised questions about the
amount of drugs which must be getting into the country.

Mr Laws, MP for Yeovil, said the falling prices proved that government
attempts to tackle the drugs trade were failing.

"The fact that prices have fallen so substantially proves that people must
be finding it easier to get drugs into the country."

Mr Shapiro added: "The main issue here is the degree to which Customs in
particular can stop consignments of drugs coming into the country.

"They've always admitted they've only ever been able to stop a fraction of
what's available."