DON'T LEGALISE HEROIN, SAYS FORMER ADDICT

A former addict said yesterday that drugs should not be legalised,
just days before the Commons Home Affairs Committee will call for the
downgrading of ecstasy and cannabis.

Earlier this month Roger Dorrington was ordered by a court to pay UKP
250 compensation to James White, who he alleges dealt heroin to his
sons Joseph and Nick. Mr Dorrington had punched Mr White during an
angry confrontation.

The penalty was withdrawn last week after a public outcry, but Mr
Dorrington must still complete 100 hours of community service.

Yesterday his son Joseph said: "I wouldn't like any drugs to be legal
because through my experience all drugs have brought me is pain." He
was speaking on Radio 4's Today programme.

His father told the programme that the police were prosecuting the
wrong people.

"The police or the system can choose who they like to prosecute. I
think that's wrong. They should look at it as a broader issue and not
just charge whoever makes a complaint," said Mr Dorrington, who lives
with his sons in the New Forest, Hampshire.

Their comments will further fuel the debate on reform of the drug
laws. This week, the Home Affairs Committee will publish its review
of Britain's drugs policy which follows 10 months of evidence from
experts, drugs organisations and the police.

Its members are expected to recommend reclassifying cannabis from
Class B to Class C and ecstasy from Class A to Class B so police can
focus their resources on tackling hard drugs.

MPs have concluded that decriminalisation of cannabis would send out
the wrong message and lead to an increase in supply, although they
will suggest greater access to methadone for long-term heroin users.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, announced last October that he
was minded to reclassify cannabis while giving evidence to the Home
Affairs Committee.

However, he said that he would wait to make his decision until he had
considered a report from the government's drug experts, the Advisory
Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

The council has now published its report which backed downgrading of
cannabis while stressing the drug still posed serious health risks.

Home Office sources said Mr Blunkett will delay his decision on
reclassifying cannabis until he has also read the detailed findings
in the Select Committee report.