HEROIN addicts are to be given free drugs to inject in specially designated “shooting galleries” as part of a radical new initiative to cut drug-related crime.

The proposals, put forward by Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg, will inevitably lead to accusations from some sections of society that Durham is going soft on drugs.

But that knee-jerk reaction could not be further from the truth.

The war on drugs in this country has failed miserably.

For the past 40 years we have locked up people who needed help, allowed dealers to enrich themselves and failed to stem the influx of dangerous drugs coming into the country. The wrong people have been criminalised.

It is time to think again.

An assisted treatment service isn’t going soft on drugs. By helping addicts manage their condition in an safe environment it reduces drugrelated crimes and hits the dealers where it hurts – in their pockets. It’s also much cheaper than locking someone up.

A Government-funded pilot scheme in Darlington several years ago found that giving addicts heroin significantly reduced usage and crime.

Sadly, that scheme did not lead to change. Politicians were too afraid of the “soft on drugs”

stigma to take the bold decisions that were required.

So it has fallen to Mr Hogg, a former police officer who has seen for himself how the law is failing, and Durham Constabulary – Britain’s best police force.

In December, the Government’s own experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, suggested a nationwide network of drug treatment centres. The Home Office seemingly dismissed the idea out of hand.

We hope Durham’s courageous move will finally lead to a sensible national policy debate.