Letter: In Brief

Sir: Dan Williams (letter, 16 November) proves his own point in calling for "radical honesty" in the drugs debate. Even someone as thoughtful and well-informed on the subject as he is can still repeat the official misinformation that has imprinted itself so deeply on the national consciousness.

Say it loud and clear: "narcotic" is not synonymous with "dangerous drug". Heroin and cocaine are diametrically opposed in their effects: heroin is a narcotic, inducing sleep (narcosis), while coke, as any user can demonstrate, is a central nervous system stimulant, which is why coke-heads can't sleep at all.

A nit-picking definition of words, or a plank in the platform for radical honesty?

TONY WALTON

Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex