Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, What an excellent series on the drugs problem! It was an eye-opener to learn how easy it is to obtain drugs in the city and how well-known are the premises where drugs are available. My elder daughter and her friend gave us similar information as long ago as the 1970s about one Perth pub.
If these places are so well-known to the general public, why are they not raided and closed by the police? They could be closed down for a few months and proprietors fined heavily for a first offence, then dealt with more severely for a second offence and finally closed down altogether and the proprietors imprisoned for a third offence.
The more difficult access to drugs is made, the better for our youngsters. Those from good homes are not likely to go seeking drugs in doubtful areas of our cities.
In another report, Professor David Nutt advocates the legalising of all drugs. He says this would de-criminalise the whole scene and put drug dealers out of business.
He claims that certain drugs, at present illegal, are not harmful at all and puts cannabis at the bottom of a list of drugs arranged in order of the harm they cause. A recent investigation found that smoking cannabis could possibly be more dangerous than smoking tobacco as far as causing cancer is concerned.
Alcoholism is a menace, but it does not have the immediate or rapid killer effect of many drugs, witness the recent death of a Fife woman.
No, the reason for the drugs epidemic is not that they have been made illegal, but that the experts and our social services are divided on the issue and our police forces and our courts have failed to clamp down on drug dealers and drug-takers. Show drug barons we mean business.
George K McMillan.
5 Mount Tabor Avenue,
Perth.
Sad and alarming reading
Sir The excellent reporting work in last week’s issues on the drug ”scene” in Dundee made sad and alarming reading.
The comments made by some non-involved residents that some activity, though reported, continued without any apparent interference from the police could well be replicated over much of the country. I wonder if the new Chief of Police in Scotland has ideas about this?
However, the police did take action, on the basis of your reports. We presume that ”undercover” work is taking place and this sometimes means that street level crime is left alone – but there are limits. Even the biggest ”Mr Big” expect their low minions and customers to be ”busted” from time to time.
Many solutions to the problem have been aired. I found the ”cold turkey” experience, described to you, impressive, if somewhat troubling, in the short term – but well worth it over time.
Finally, and admirably, if not rather risky, your reporters put their names to many of the articles.
A T Geddie.
68 Carleton Avenue,
Glenrothes.Labour had their chanceSir, Johann Lamont’s ”Madam Butterfly” act has at least brought the discussion of universal benefits to the public forum.
Personally, I believe in a health service based on need and education made available where the only consideration is the ability to learn not the ability to pay. Free bus travel for the elderly is an excellent idea. It keeps tens of thousands of cars off the road and improves the frequency of services.
Extra policemen on the beat have not only reassured the public, but brought crime levels down to a record low.
Labour had 13 long years to deal with our inequitable tax system and failed completely. They abolished the 10% level of tax and ignored the fact that someone earning £35K a year is taxed at the same level as someone being paid £35K a week, or indeed, £35K a day!
Even worse they failed to close a single loophole whereby the highest paid quite legally avoid paying any tax at all! At the end of Labour’s stint, the rich were richer and the poor, poorer! We should not be surprised. Labour is the party,after all, which wouldn’t take Jimmy Reid at any price, but welcomed Tony Blair with open arms.
Joseph G Miller.
44 Gardeners Street,
Dunfermline.
Ticket sales a shambles
Sir, Dundonians don’t often get the opportunity to witness a major group like Mumford and Sons so it was with a sense of anticipation my wife and I queued for over an hour to try to get tickets for our daughter.
It was a shambles.
The website sold out in five minutes, it was impossible to get through on the phone and there were so few tickets available that after waiting an hour we were all sent home.
It was even more annoying to find that ticket ”agencies”, E-bay and other on-line sites were selling them openly within minutes for up to seven times the price.
Is there nothing that can be done about this?
I realise we live in a ”free” market capitalist world of dog eat dog, where the wealthy can get whatever they want, but could promoters and above all Dundee City Council not try to ensure some measure of fairness?
Or are the ”plebs” just to be left with Abba tribute bands?
David A Robertson.
Solas CPC,
St Peter’s Free Church,
4 St Peter Street,
Dundee.