LEGALISE all drugs, says Brian Derbyshire, and millions -- guess who, in particular -- would agree with him.

Once again we are told drugs are out of control and the police are fighting a losing battle. Are these arguments really good enough to have yet another evil legalised?

Child abuse is also out of control, and so are muggings, burglary, arson, murders and so on. Here, too, the police are increasingly fighting a losing battle. Follow the logic -- "if you can't beat crime, legalise it" -- and we might as well legalise just about everything, while dismantling the police, the courts and the law at the same time. Initially, this would even save a packet.

It would also be the path to anarchy, of course, which is exactly what society's enemies have in mind. Alcohol, tobacco and a range of other stimulant, anti-depressant, hallucinogenic and narcotic drugs mean lots of tears more often than not. They are a diabolical invitation to the nations to slowly commit suicide starting with their future, their youths.

The legalisation of evil rights -- often confused with equal rights -- and excessive leniency towards persistent and selfish lawbreakers, have already turned society into an almost inescapable quagmire. This is, of course, all very deliberate. Were it not so, our much hailed scientists would have made available a drug to end all drug abuse long ago.

Brian speaks for many, no doubt, because he speaks like many. In this case, however, he might be the unwitting companion of society's foes. Who they are? Perhaps this "whodunnit" poser will trigger a search, although I don't expect much of a response -- with one inevitable exception.

Mrs B Stuart

Lord's Stile Lane

Bromley Cross, Bolton