Legalise ALL drugs?

Controversial police chief Richard Brunstrom has called for the legalisation and regulation of all drugs in a new report.

Mr Brunstrom, the chief constable of North Wales, described the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as "not fit for purpose" and "immoral" and urged its repeal. Mr Brunstrom, in a report to North Wales police authority, described the current UK drugs strategy as "unwinnable." He said: "The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 should be repealed and replaced by a new Substance Misuse Act based upon the legalisation and careful regulation of all substances of abuse in one consistent manner." Mr Brunstrom urged his authority to support the stance in its response to the Government's Drugs: Our Community, Your Say consultation paper.

In a 30-page document - Drugs Policy, A Radical Look Ahead - Mr Brunstrom said: "UK drugs policy for the last several decades has been based upon prohibition with a list of banned substances placed into three classes - the ABC system - and draconian criminal penalties for the possession or supply of controlled drugs. "This system has not worked well. Illegal drugs are now in plentiful supply, and have become consistently cheaper in real terms over the years. The number of users has increased dramatically. Drug crime has soared equally dramatically as a direct consequence of the illegality of some drugs and the huge profits from illegal trading have supported a massive rise in organised criminality. Most importantly, the current system illogically excludes both alcohol and tobacco. A new classification system, a 'hierarchy of harm' encompassing all substances of abuse and based upon identified social harms, should, in my opinion, be at the centre of a new substance misuse regime - one based upon evidence, not moralistic dogma."

Surely the consequences of such a system would include the following:
- ALL drugs would be legalised; further reducing any fear of the law (which may actually exist)
- Easier access to drugs?
- Little or no control of harmful substances
- Statistics could be abused eg a claim that drug abuse has reduced when it would actually have increased; immeasurably!

Christian, this is a no-brainer! Stand against such lawlessness!

So ironic that such a suggestion should come from a representative of the law.

Sunday Football

It was reported recently that the ban on Sunday soccer in Northern Ireland looks as though it is about to come to an end... after 60 years.

Currently, Northern Ireland is the only member of UEFA which does not allow soccer - at any level - to be played on a Sunday.

The Irish Football Association has said that the rule contravenes their own anti-sectarian policy, and they will make their latest attempt to overturn the ban at the end of October 2007.

Reaction to the possible lifting of the ban differs widely across the religious divide. For some, the ban is outdated and its removal will place Northern Ireland on a level playing field with other countries and other sports. They also argue that lifting the ban will increase domestic attendances by doing away with the playing or watching on a Saturday dilemma. But those who want the ban maintained argue Sunday should be kept football-free, and they doubt that Sunday games would increase attendances at all.

Howard Wells, the Irish Football Association's chief executive, believes they must move with the times. "We are trying to recognise that there are different communities in Northern Ireland now that have different views and beliefs," he said. "Sunday isn't a holy day for many of them, and we have to reflect the changing population. There are people with a desire to play and it'll be left to freedom of choice. "We're not trying to impose this on the community."

Reverend David McIlveen of the Free Presbyterian Church feels that his flock would be far from happy with any move to lift the ban. "Most people enjoy soccer, but to have it on the Lord's day is a step too far for many people," he said. "The Bible makes it clear that we are to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy - and there are many involved in soccer who'd hold to that conviction. To have soccer on a Sunday would disenfranchise those who have very deep convictions about playing on Sundays. Why marginalise a section of the community, the Christian section, by playing soccer on a Sunday?"

Linfield are the biggest and most successful club in Northern Ireland, and their chairman Jim Kerr is happy to accept change - but not for his club. "I would not approve of Sunday football, but if the IFA wish to remove the ban then Linfield will not be playing at home on a Sunday," he said. "But if other clubs wish to play each other then I would not object. I like to go to my church on a Sunday and we have a support base here who'd be of the same opinion that Sunday is for worship, a family day for relaxation but not for sport."

Across the city, in West Belfast, they have a wholly different view. Donegal Celtic's manager Paddy Kelly believes lifting the ban could only be good for his club, and the game in general.
"Saturday football doesn't attract the crowds that should be going to see Irish football," he said. "From where we are in West Belfast, Sunday would attract a far bigger crowd - double or even treble what we get at present - and it would certainly benefit Donegal Celtic."

At F2A UK we believe that the Lord's Day should remain just that - The Lord's Day. Sunday has been set aside as a day of worship and the Christian point of view, particularly in Northern Ireland with is rich heritage of Gospel witness and freedom, must be taken into account.

Christian, it is once again time to lift the phone, pen the letter, have a voice - for Christ.