Heaven

DAY 228 SUNDAY 3 MARCH 2002

6.30 am

Yesterday I read Celia Grummitt’s pamphlet on the misuse of drugs in prisons and the following facts bear repeating:

a. Seven million people in Britain take drugs on a regular basis (this does not include alcohol or cigarettes).

b. Sixteen million people in Britain smoke cigarettes.

c. Drug-related problems are currently costing the NHS, the police service, the Prison Service, the social services, the probation service and courts – the country – eighteen billion pounds a year.

d. If Britain did not have a drug problem, and by that I mean abuse of Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, we could close 25 per cent of our jails, and there would be no waiting lists on the NHS.

e. In 1975, fewer than 10,000 people were taking heroin. Today it’s 220,000, and for those of you who have never had to worry about your children, just think about your grandchildren.