Wales' Top Cop Attacks The War On Drugs

North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom labelled the war on drugs "a bad mistake' this week telling the Western Mail newspaper that legalising drugs would dramatically reduce crime rates.

"Most addicts commit crime merely to get money for drugs - if they had access to legal drugs there is no doubt at all that crime would fall," the unusually open-minded cop pointed out.

"The case is already proved, and I know that there is overwhelming public support for a new approach. I just wish that more politicians had the courage to talk openly to the public about drugs. They might get quite a surprise," he suggested.

The Chief Constable first spoke out about prohibition two years ago pointing out on Channel 4 News that around a third of all recorded crime is committed by drug addicts to support their habit.

"What is the problem- If you're not mugging old ladies and not stealing from shops and not stealing cars, what actually is the problem," the Chief Constable asked.

"Why shouldn't you be taking drugs- And that's the question we need to be asking ourselves. Why are these things illegal- What was the purpose behind it- "Are these things actually that bad- Are they that evil- Are there better alternatives to controlling use of drugs if we still want to control them," he added.


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