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London voice: should cocaine be legalised?
By Kate Church, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 26.07.04Toby Leeming, 22, Student, Islington
For the moment it should remain illegal, but I don't think it will get rid of the problem, because it's so rife. I don't notice it so much in Edinburgh, where I'm a student, but I certainly see a great deal of drug-taking in London. I think there needs to be a degree of tolerance, but legalisation would send out the wrong message.
Kabita Sedob, 25, IT consultant, Ealing
The James Hewitt arrest was a complete waste of time. I'm sure there are many other people in the public eye who take illegal drugs, it's a pretty widespread thing. One night recently, my friend was offered cocaine four times in the same club. Having said that, I don't think it should be made legal. It would only encourage people to move on to the next illicit drug.
Richard Crawley, 24, Drama Student, Barnes
I've never taken it myself, but I know lots of people who have, and it does seem to be readily available. However, I do think that the police have better things to do with their time than come down on people who are taking it recreationally. Legalising it might actually take away some of the glamour of doing something that's forbidden.
Lorraine Love, 28 Receptionist, Holland Park
It definitely should remain illegal. That said, I think that the James Hewitt thing has been whipped up into a storm. People have been poised to pounce on him for some time. But I guess that what for him may be just a fun recreational pastime - a bottle of champagne and a line of Charlie - can ruin the lives of young kids, who probably don't have access to The Priory.
Mark Gibbins, 25, Sales executive, Cricklewood
I don't have a problem with it being made legal. I would see it as a positive step, as at the moment I think drugs policy in the UK is counter-productive. Legalising it would in many ways protect people - at least they are more likely to know what they are getting when they buy a drug, and it takes out the element of the black market. I'd have a similar argument for the legalisation of prostitution. Also, I believe that if you are dealing with an addict who has what is basically an illness, it's no use treating them as a criminal.
