DOROTHY Greenwell is concerned about the Lib Dems' policy on drugs (Letters, April 18). Ms Greenwell's knowledge of illegal drugs will, I am sure, be made up of mainly what she reads in the papers and hears about the "war on drugs" mentioned by politicians so much.

Here are some facts of which she may be unaware:

1. Britain's drug laws are among the toughest in Europe and we have some of the worst drug-related problems.

2. There are 1,000 times more alcoholics than heroin addicts. Alcoholics do not generally commit crime to fund their habit, heroin addicts do. This is because of the law.

3. Heroin is legally prescribed to addicts in Switzerland and this has led to a 70 per cent reduction in drug-related crime.

4. Sweden has a zero tolerance approach on all drugs including cannabis. They have the highest death rate from illegal drugs in Europe.

We have to face reality if we are ever to reduce the harm to individuals and society that certain drugs create. This would be far better achieved in a framework of control and regulation.

Drugs are a fact of life and reneging on our responsibilities to bring them under control surely is no longer an option if we wish to have a better future for us all.

Steve Clements,

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance,

Church Street, York.

Updated: 09:36 Monday, April 25, 2005