HOME Secretary Jacqui Smith has stated that, despite the Government's planned moves to curb binge drinking by ending cheap drinks promotions, she does not want to stop "the vast majority of people who enjoy alcohol and drink responsibly from doing so".

Yet again total and utter hypocrisy when compared to her attitude to illegal, non-taxed drugs.

In 2002, a Home Affairs Select Committee published a report, HC-318: The Government's Drug Policy: Is It Working?

This stated: "While around four million people use illicit drugs each year, most of those people do not appear to experience harm from their drug use, nor do they cause harm to others as a result of their habit". Jacqui Smith has seen fit to ignore the recommendation of The Advisory Council On The Misuse of Drugs, and is reverting cannabis to Class-B status in January 2009.

This is apparently to send a message, particularly to young people, that "cannabis is illegal and should not be taken".

I think the Home Secretary totally underestimates our "young people" who see straight through these mixed messages.

If drug laws are to be at all credible, the classification system has to reflect harm.

A harm-based classification system which does not include tobacco or alcohol is simply an extremely costly and damaging farce.

DILYS WOOD

Legalise Cannabis Alliance

Stoke-on-Trent