YOUR newspaper has to be congratulated for helping in the drugs fight.

Many more arrests may be made, but convictions don't always follow - even when people have been caught in possession of drugs.

This is not the fault of the police but of certain defence lawyers who spend a great deal of time looking for loopholes in the law or evidence.

Defendants are encouraged to plead not guilty so that several hearings may take place before any actual trial.

This allows the lawyers to rake in more of the taxpayers' money in legal aid and gives more time for seeking technicalities on which to get the defendant acquitted.

This is a common practice, particularly with young offenders who, unfortunately, may just be embarking on a life of crime, thus providing the lawyers with a good income from legal aid in years to come.

As a qualified barrister, Jack Straw must know what goes on so maybe he should deal with lawyers.

Name and address received.

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