BRITAIN: A chief constable in Wales suggested yesterday that heroin should be legally sold on the street.
Mr Richard Brunstrom, chief constable of North Wales Police, said he was prepared to see the Class A drug sold on the street corner or through a pharmacy.
Speaking on a BBC programme, he said: "The question is actually not 'Am I prepared to see the government selling heroin on the street corner or through the pharmacy?' but 'Why would we not want to do that? What is wrong with that?' That's the question we should be asking. It's a very challenging question.
"I don't know what society's answer is, but my answer is that is what we should be doing because our current policy is causing more harm than good."
The area's Labour Party MP, Mr Martyn Jones, said the chief constable was right to stimulate a debate on legalising drugs. However a local councillor did not approve.
Local councillor Mr Jeff Evans, who is suing the chief constable over what he claims are poor policing standards, said: "It is a scandal. We want drug abuse out and want criminals on our streets sorted out. The chief constable is trying to take the easy way out, he is basically saying if we can't beat it then we should join it." - (PA)