Police must act to rescue young from this evil drug
aS CannaBiS use causes a lot of crime, it is a crassly stupid decision by the police to routinely let off people caught growing it (Mail).
Skunk, a potent form of the drug, has been linked to violence, homicides, suicides, traffic fatalities and mental illness.
For more than 30 years, i taught biology at a grammar school and was in charge of health education. now retired, i have been trying to warn about this insidious drug.
The potency of herbal cannabis is measured by its THC content. in the Seventies and eighties, it was 1-2 per cent; today, it is 16 per cent. The Dutch believe it should be reclassified as a Class a drug.
The first paper linking cannabis with psychosis was published in 1840 when the THC content was minute. Why has it taken nearly 200 years to accept this link?
One in six cannabis users start in their teens and many drop out of education.
The drug is addictive and can also cause cancer, heart attacks, strokes and depress the immune system. Babies born to cannabisusing mothers are smaller, have cognitive impairment and behavioural problems as they grow up.
in male users, impotence and infertility have been reported. and contrary to popular opinion, its role as a gateway drug has been documented in scientific papers. MARY BRETT, Cannabis Skunk
Sense, Amersham, Bucks.
Law unto themselves
THe police say they can no longer afford to investigate low-level crime, such as burglary (Mail). They could save money by looking at their levels of command.
How many deputy assistant chief constables does a force need? removing some of these bean counters in uniform, who get massive salaries, would release cash to help put more bobbies on the beat. ANDREW WILKINSON,
King’s Lynn, Norfolk. iF THe police will not respond to burglary calls, just phone them to report that a little old lady has dropped litter. Within moments, armed response vehicles and van loads of uniforms will turn up.
T. E. RUSSELL, Downham Market, Norfolk. THe picture of police having fun at the fair would be fine if they were not always harping on about how overstretched they are.
STEPHEN BIDDLE, Ely, Cambs.
Project Stupid
THere have been claims that the absence of a Brexit deal would cost families £500 a year (Mail). in fact, food prices will fall if the Uk adopts World Trade Organisation rules and opts for zero tariffs on eU food imports.
Currently, the eU imposes tariffs on the majority of food imports from non-eU countries. Most of the tariffs raised in this way in the Uk are then remitted to the eU.
By taking the free trade path, as Singapore, Hong kong and new Zealand have, the Uk would import food tariff-free from the entire world, not just the eU.
However, as a result of lobbying from the CBi, economists and City boardrooms, Project Stupid has replaced Project Fear.
TIM MARTIN, Watford, Herts.
Don’t be a saver
i alWaYS encouraged young people to get on the housing ladder and save for their old age.
But now i’m a pensioner, i would change that advice. Get on the list for a council house, don’t bother with a pension and just spend all your earnings.
i scrimped and saved all my life, only to be taxed to the hilt. and now it appears the Chancellor thinks pensioners should be punished to pay for young people.
DAVID LINGS, Nottingham.
Strictly’s out of step
aS a Strictly Come Dancing fan, i am frustrated that the results show is not broadcast on Saturdays, but recorded and then broadcast ‘as live’ on Sundays.
after celebrity dancers Debbie McGee and ruth langsford let slip who had been voted off two weeks running, it’s time to end the pretence. all the dancing takes place on a Saturday, plus the voting and the elimination.
if they can broadcast the final on one evening, they should do it for the rest of the series, too. HILARY GOLDSMITH, Uppingham, Rutland.
GPs under pressure
Dr MaX is right: you can’t solve problems by simply throwing money at them.
There’s a lot of pressure on GPs, due to the compensation culture. is it any wonder so many are leaving the profession? The nHS, as well as the army, teaching and police, are finding it difficult to recruit because they are strangled by red tape, have little support and when things go wrong, someone has to be hung out to dry.
PHIL GRANGER, West Malling, Kent.
Loo-dicrous decision
THe report about unisex toilets at Highgate school in north london (Mail) reminded me of a recent embarrassing episode.
after a lovely lunch at the Victoria & albert museum in london, i made my way to the washrooms.
There was only one door with a sign indicating both sexes, so i assumed this led to alternative doors for males and females.
My mistake! On going through that first door, i was confronted by a gentleman washing his hands. i apologised, but he said: ‘no, you are right, we are all supposed to use the same facilities.’
i am sure we would both have preferred cubicles behind separate doors.
L. GADSBY, Truro, Cornwall.
Fishy goings-on
CaPTain Birdseye, who has spent years promoting fish fingers, is demoted three ranks overnight with no explanation (Mail).
Meanwhile, a young woman who is promoting insurance is raised five levels in rank from Commander to full admiral.
Captain Pugwash needs to make sure his CV is up to date. RAY MUNRO-CRUMP,
Horsham, W. Sussex.