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Sir: David Macauley states that the global drug business represents 8 per cent of world trade ("the same as the oil business"), that it is responsible for 70 per cent of thefts in the UK and, that it costs the NHS a huge amount. He says the profits of the criminal drug business are so great that serious bank robbery is in terminal decline, and yet he is against the decriminalisation of drugs.

Why do the UK and US governments continue to ignore the lessons of US alcohol prohibition between the wars?

GEORGE HORNBY

Bournemouth,

Dorset