Sir, - In "An Irishman's Diary" (April 6th) last, Kevin Myers made his second attempt within a month to open a debate on the legalisation of drugs. In his inimitable way he dismissed the current prohibition of drug use as an unwarranted and excessive application of the criminal law to the regulation of human conduct. This he derided as the last remnant of "State nannyism". While few would question the legitimacy of the State's role in controlling drug abuse, Mr Myers is right to draw attention to a problem which is vexing criminal justice agencies throughout the world, but has hitherto received little serious attention in this country.
We know virtually nothing about the extent and dynamics of drug misuse in Ireland. However, there is no doubt that much property crime is motivated by opiate addiction, and that alcohol plays a role in many offences of violence. Indeed in about half of the 610 incidents of homicide recorded between 1972-1991, there was evidence that the perpetrator had been intoxicated. It is clear that any policy must address the demand for drugs.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, has recently announced the establishment of a crime council. She deserves full credit for this initiative. It is to be hoped that when the council first meets the question of how best to tackle drug misuse will be high on its agenda. - Yours etc
Research Officer, University of Oxford,
Centre for Criminological
Research,
Bevington Road,
Oxford.