CONTRARY to what Mr Hinton claims (You Say, June 15) the prohibition of alcohol in the USA was not a complete failure.

Although many did break this law, levels of alcohol consumption in America were drastically reduced. Prior to Prohibition, alcohol consumption levels had been enormous.

Anyone who has spent time in America will see that alcohol has a far less prominent role in their culture than in most European countries, including Britain.

It seems highly likely that legalisation of cannabis would open the floodgates to mass public experimentation in the drug.

The increase in the use of the drug, despite prohibition, is hardly surprising given the general increase of delinquency and crime.

However, most people in this country would not like to go to court or pay fines and this deters the majority of the population from experimenting. Remove this deterrent and results will be reaped.

M CLARKE,

Worcester.