editorial comment Do you see a disconnect Tony???

Nearly two-thirds of people believe recreational drugs should be controlled by the Government and given out by doctors and pharmacists, a new poll reveals.

The survey, carried out by ICM for the Daily Mirror, also found that 76% thought Prime Minister Tony Blair was losing the war on drugs.

The results came as Home Secretary David Blunkett prepared to announce new proposals on drugs as part of the Queen’s Speech.

The Times reported that people arrested for relatively minor crimes would be compulsorily-tested and prosecuted if drugs were found in their bloodstream.

Councils would also be able to evict tenants who allowed properties to be used for casual drug use under the new plans.

In the Mirror poll the vast majority (95%) wanted drug offenders to be dealt with in a different way to how they are now.

But while 48% said they should receive compulsory treatment for their addiction, 15% favoured tougher sentences for all users.

Just 7% believed all drugs should be legalised, with 10% thinking the same for just soft drugs, meaning a total of nearly one in five believed there was a case for legalising at least some drugs.

Some 28% wanted them to remain illegal even if it meant leaving them in the control of drugs gangs while 31% said police should concetrate on nailing drug dealers rather than users.

Opinions differed over the effect legalisation would have on crime levels.

Young people tended to think it would reduce offences such as gun crime, burglary, car crime, and prostitution but there was a feeling among others that it could result in more truancy and anti-social behaviour.

People in the higher AB social bracket believed legalisation would cut crime.

Nearly half (49%) thought cannabis would be legal within five years and more than three-quarters thought it would be in 10 years.

Nearly two in three people believed drugs would never be made legal.

ICM interviewed 1,036 adults across the country and the results were weighted to the profile of all adults.

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