DRUG VICTIM'S PARENTS BACK DUTCH LAW

The parents of heroin victim Rachel Whitear believe she would be alive
today if Britain had adopted The Netherlands' more liberal approach to drug
use.

Following a trip to Amsterdam, Mick and Pauline Holcroft said they were
impressed by that country's openness about drugs and called for a massive
overhaul of Britain's laws.

The couple, who published shocking photos of 21-year-old Rachel's body
after she overdosed, also supported cannabis cafes for breaking the link
between drug users and street dealers.

Following their visit to The Netherlands for an ITV1 news programme the
Holcrofts praised the availability of immediate help in that country for
those with problems and said the same approach in Britain could save lives.

'Saddened'

Mrs Holcroft, from Withington, Herefordshire, said Britain should have
learned from the Dutch approach to drugs.

She said: "I have to think there's a far bigger chance that Rachel would
still be with us.

"I'm obviously very saddened that if Rachel had had those opportunities,
she may still be here."

Mr Holcroft said: "I do honestly feel after talking to some of the experts
and talking to heroin users, that there is a system in Holland that can
help the families as well, and you would not feel quite so helpless."

'Instantaneous Help'

The Holcrofts said heroin users at an Amsterdam drop-in centre they visited
were appalled by the circumstances in which Rachel died.

The body of the former university student was discovered in a bedsit in
Exmouth, Devon, three days after she overdosed in May 2000. She still had a
syringe in her hand.

Mrs Holcroft said: "It was amazing meeting those people.

"When they needed help, it was more or less instantaneous. Certainly within
two days, to be put on a programme to come off it.

"They can't believe the circumstances under which Rachel died and were
shocked by the photographs"

Education

Rachel's parents, who have previously backed a campaign encouraging heroin
users not to inject, said drugs education is a much higher priority in
Dutch schools.

They supported the idea of teaching children as young as nine about the
dangers of drug use.

Job Arnold from the Drug User's Union in Amsterdam told them: "Recent
history has shown Holland as a country that is open about drugs and drug
users, and young people can see for themselves that really a lifestyle with
heroin is not a very promising option."

Despite The Netherlands' more liberal approach to drugs fewer young people
use them than in Britain.

'Loving Girl'

Rachel moved on to heroin after smoking cannabis and the Holcrofts believe
she may never have made the jump if cannabis cafes existed in Britain.

Mrs Holcroft said: "I think the key issues are that cannabis is kept
separately to other drugs.

"In Britain, you have dealers with cannabis in one pocket and heroin in the
other.

"When they run out of one, they give people the other. That's how they get
hooked on heroin."

Remembering her daughter as a "very outgoing, loving girl" and added: "We
couldn't help remembering Rachel on our trip, and knowing that when she
wanted help, it wasn't there."