LEGALISING drugs could lead to a better quality of life for everyone, according to a Cleveland councillor.

Coun Ian Jeffrey, who holds the schools portfolio, outraged members of Recar and Cleveland council during a debate on drugs when he suggested that all substances might be made legal within the next decade or so.

"In a free society, people should be allowed to abuse their own bodies if they want to providing no problem is caused to anyone else," he said.

"Driving drugs revenue into the economy rather than the criminals' pockets would yield a better quality of life for everyone."

Members were being asked to approve a decision to call for a Royal Commission into drugs and for a working party to examine what impact decriminalisation would have on local crime.

Coun Jeffrey said the government's recent announcement on relaxing cannabis laws could be followed by similar measures on ecstasy and, eventually, all drugs. "I believe that in ten to 15 years' time all drugs will be legal," he said.

His views were echoed by some, staunchly opposed by others.

Coun Steve Kay said it was totally inappropriate for Coun Jeffrey, as lead councillor for education, to express these views, and Lib-Dem group leader, Coun Chris Abbott, said his suggestion was outrageous.

"The only effect of legalising heroin would be millions more people would use it," he said

But Coun Maureen Hall said tax sales from legalised drugs sold through licensed premises could be ploughed into the community. "As a probation officer I see the effects of drugs every day. They are an epidemic on our estates and if we don't address that I am not sure what there is left for us to do," she said.

Coun Ken Seymour said it was costing billions to police a problem that could not be policed. "Drugs might be less attractive if they could be bought at the corner shop," he said.

Coun Dave McLuckie, lead councillor for community safety, said drug use led to burglaries and muggings. "We need to make sure the public is safe from the scourge of drugs, not whether they should be legal."

Coun Brenda Forster said the war on drugs had been lost. Dealers should be stopped making money from misery. "If licensing hard drugs delivers that then let's do it."

Coun Jean White could not believe her colleagues were advocating selling hard drugs from corner shops, and Conservative group leader, Coun Vera Moody, was against legalising ecstasy as there had been too many tragedies following its use.

Council leader, Coun David Walsh, said the authority had to work with agencies such as the police, health services and schools.

This was the only way to break down the habits on drug-infested estates, he said