SIR - I was delighted to read about (Worcester News, December 7) and watch the laudable and valiant efforts made by Monty Don and ex-policeman Rocky Hudson to help rehabilitate and reform so many of this city's unlucky and unfortunate addicts.

It is one of the few joys of being a criminal solicitor, as I am, to see addicts break free from their addiction, whatever it may be. It is also tragically sad to witness the loss, so frequently and unnecessarily, of (usually young) lives.

The policy advocated by Stanley Parr of England's Parliamentary Party (Letters, December 7) and Howard Roberts (deputy chief constable, Nottinghamshire) to prescribe drugs, coupled with the rehabilitation and reform outlined above, ultimately will help addicts to reduce and then break free from addiction.

It would also greatly reduce the risk of overdose and death. Currently we replace addiction to heroin with a prescription for methadone. Most say the latter is harder to get off.

Rob Macrory, Prospective Parliamentary candidate, Worcester.