This is why war on drugs is unwinnable
WELL done to West Midlands Police and crime commissioner David Jamieson for publicly saying what many coppers and prison officers have known for years – that the war on drugs is unwinnable.
The villain of the piece is the 1965 Drugs Act, which is one of the stupidest laws ever enacted in the UK. It had the same effect as prohibition did in the USA before the war: make criminals and some politicians very rich. Worse of all, the 1965 Drugs Act criminalised all the victims of drug-taking.
The purchase of illegal drugs is responsible for at least 20 per cent of all the crime in the UK. Just giving clean NHS supplies to all addicts would cut the crime rate by at least 10 per cent overnight. This would then allow the Drugs Squad to concentrate on arresting the Mr Bigs of organised crime. Chris Youett Earlsdon
Just like the real Michael Jackson
MY goodness, what a fantastic show we have just seen at the Albany Theatre. Michael Starring Ben was absolutely brilliant, it was like watching the real Michael Jackson. From the moment he came on stage with his dancers, backing singers and band, they had the audience spellbound. Albany Theatre – you have done Coventry proud to get such a fantastic show to this theatre. Such a shame the theatre wasn’t full. Come on Coventry, support your local theatre. You are missing some fantastic shows. Well done to everyone concerned with this performance and I for one will definitely be going to see this show again when they tour next year. Susan Hoult Cannon Park
Leaseholders need better protection
HAVING a leasehold flat can be tough and I suspect many other leaseholders in the Coventry area are finding it tough.
This month, a government consultation allows us to comment on extending leases and maybe we’ll be able to extend without having to agree to ever-rising ground rents.
Another problem is repairs. When I bought my leasehold flat the managing agent had been taking a monthly fee for maintenance for more than 40 years. The roof of my flat first leaked into the second bedroom in 2012, and after all these years it has only been patched and never properly repaired. The roof is now past repair.
Over the years, the agents have delayed and delayed, always putting off effective action. Yet monthly service charges have risen.
The staff and directors and shareholders of these agents are paid. But they neglect our basic essential structural repairs. It isn’t easy to change managing agents because some leaseholders are absentees and residents don’t know who they are.
Those with leasehold properties need protection from exploitative managing agents. Anne Stone Kenilworth
Bags do not need their own seats
THERE should be clear notices on all buses that people should put their bags on their laps rather than a seat next to them.
This takes up a space where another person could sit. Ian Harris Radford
Great to take part in city Sleep Out
IT was a pleasure for the third year to join over 100 people who took part in the 2018 Coventry Sleep Out on Friday, October 12.
Myself, Councillors Peter Male, Marcus Lapsa and Neil Worwood spent the night under the stars in the atmospheric ruins of Coventry Cathedral in aid of St Basil’s.
This is a really good way that any person can help support this great charity. All the money raised from this event will go towards their Floating Support and Positive Prevention projects, supporting over 400 young people, and helping to prevent youth homelessness in Coventry.
This is a sleep out where all the people involved constructed a dwelling out of cardboard and plastic and then slept in it overnight.
If you didn’t know about the event, would like to sponsor or look at how you can take part next year, please go online and look up St Basil’s sleepout. You can donate directly here. This ensures the money goes where it needs to go.
You can also visit stbasils.org.uk/ help-us/donate Councillor Tim Mayer (Con) Westwood ward
Fit all new builds with solar panels
AGAIN another report concerning our planet through global warming.
This is a great opportunity for Coventry City Council, through their planning department, to insist all new-builds are fitted with solar panels.
It would also help with the extra demand that the electric car revolution will bring. Valerie Goode Cheylesmore