Letter: War on drugs

Sir: The Government's investment in a drugs policy aimed at rehabilitation and education is laudable ("Ministers pledge to halve UK drug abuse", May 26). However, if it is to have an impact on drug-related crime, more emphasis is needed on careful co-ordination of funding.

The allocation of pounds 76m to the Prison Service over the next three years will ensure that every prison will be able to offer a basic assessment and referral service, aimed at prisoners who will not spend long enough in jail to access one of the 30 or more full-time treatment programmes to be created. Unless there is matching investment in the provision of treatment facilities in the community, prisoners who are assessed and released will fall into a vacuum.

SHALINI GIDOOMAL

Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust

London SW1