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Legalise heroin says council boss Legalise heroin says council boss
(about 8 hours later)
The leader of Carmarthenshire council has called for drugs to be legalised.The leader of Carmarthenshire council has called for drugs to be legalised.
Meryl Gravell OBE said she despaired of the number of deaths in Llanelli - the largest town in the county - attributed to heroin.Meryl Gravell OBE said she despaired of the number of deaths in Llanelli - the largest town in the county - attributed to heroin.
She said she wanted a debate over future drugs policy, although said she did not have 'all the answers'. She said she wanted a debate over future drugs policy, although said she did not have "all the answers".
Her comments echo calls made previously by the ex-chief constable of North Wales Police, Richard Brunstrom, although he was criticised by some.Her comments echo calls made previously by the ex-chief constable of North Wales Police, Richard Brunstrom, although he was criticised by some.
Ms Gravell, who is an independent councillor for the village of Trimsaran, made the comments in an interview with the Llanelli Star newspaper. Ms Gravell, who is an independent councillor for the village of Trimsaran, made her initial comments in an interview with the Llanelli Star newspaper.
She has confirmed to the BBC news website that her quotes are correct but said she was speaking as a mother and not in her capacity as leader of the council. In a statement issued on Friday she said: "My intention was to generate debate and get people talking about the dangers of drugs and problems associated with them.
She said she wanted to people to gain more knowledge about drugs and to "get the debate rolling". "I have certainly done that, and I am pleased that my remarks have made people think about what more we should be doing to tackle this problem.
Mrs Gravell said the prohibition of drugs was not working in Llanelli. "I want to make it clear that I do not condone using drugs - and I do not think they should be freely available to all.
"If they are made legal, then there is no case of people wanting what they can't have, and the drug dealers can't make any money out of it," she said. 'Pain and destruction'
Drugs tax "But by having legalised control, it would stop drug dealers profiting, it would stop addicts committing crimes to feed their habits, it would give addicts access to support and services and be safer for them.
"All I know is that when my children were growing up they wanted to go out and drink - so I let them try a little bit of alcohol in the house. "I am not saying I have all the answers, I certainly don't, but something needs to be done, and whether or not people agree with my views I am glad that we are now talking about it and raising awareness of the issue.
"They didn't like the taste, and the curiosity disappeared. If something is forbidden, it's exciting to young people. "Drugs have destroyed many peoples' lives and torn families apart, if me speaking out can lead to any kind of change which would save one person from that pain and destruction it is worth it."
"Maybe we could tax drugs rather than banning them, and make money to put back into services weaning people off substances. Or maybe we could control the strength available.
"I know I could be setting myself up for a lot of backlash here... simply banning them isn't working... it's time for a change."
Mr Brunstrom had called for all drugs to be legalised for many years before retiring as chief constable of North Wales Police last year.Mr Brunstrom had called for all drugs to be legalised for many years before retiring as chief constable of North Wales Police last year.
But his views were criticised by some politicians who said his views were "dangerous" and "a more considered" approach was needed.But his views were criticised by some politicians who said his views were "dangerous" and "a more considered" approach was needed.