MATTHEW A Clarke accuses me of "supporting the legalisation of cannabis (You Say, July 23). I have suggested no such thing.

Such a measure alone would be hopelessly inadequate. He seems oblivious to the fact that youngsters are attracted, seduced and encouraged into drug-taking by vast commercial undertakings whose leaders lie beyond the reach of our laws.

Nothing less than eradication of this network can resolve present problems, yet it only exists because an artificially-created ban enables it to sell a plentiful and worthless commodity at an exorbitant price.

Before this ban was introduced in 1921, levels of addiction were low and of insignificant public concern.

Mr Clarke's belief that the threat of punishment will somehow deter youngsters who are being subjected to all the subtleties of high-pressure salesmanship reveals him to be out of touch with reality.

I entered this correspondence to refute an allegation that those of us who perceive the folly of present policies were "encouraging addiction".

It is those who imagine young people can be coerced into compliance who do that.

JOHN G HINTON, Worcester.