MICHAEL Winstanley, Tory candidate for Bolton North East, gives his backing to Ann Widdecombe's bid to crack down on drug users.

In the light of the fact that police chiefs say it is unworkable, could Mr Winstanley tell us how he sees the plan working?

Will it be aimed at the pubs and clubs, and at council estates, where druggies are supposed to abound, or will the police raid the houses of respectable members of the community, living in the leafy suburbs, who indulge in cannabis as an alternative to tobacco and/or alcohol?

Cannabis is, for many people, from all walks of life, an acceptable social drug. There is a huge demand for it, and while there is a demand, there will always be a supplier. The problem is not going to go away, no matter what the powers-that-be do to combat it.

As, in the end, with prohibition in the USA, the Government should realise that demand is too big to be ignored, and that maybe there is a very good case for legalising cannabis.

The vast amounts of revenue the Government would gain from it, in taxes, could then be used in the fight against hard drugs.

In a perfect world, there would be no need for drugs of any kind but, sadly, Utopia doesn't exist.

Incidentally, I do not use cannabis, or tobacco, but I am quite partial to a drop of Scotch, or a glass or three of wine. Each to their own!

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove

Bolton