Drugs a 'huge issue for government', charity says

There is "no obvious" link between tough laws and levels of illegal drug use, a government report has found.

The Home Office report compared the UK's approach to drug misuse with that of 13 other countries.

Liberal Democrat Home Office minister Norman Baker said the report, comparing the UK with other countries, should end "mindless rhetoric" on drugs policy, accusing the Conservatives of "suppressing" the findings for months.

Martin Powell, head of campaigns for the group Transform, which has been campaigning for the legal regulation of drugs in the UK for almost 20 years, told the BBC News Channel drugs "remain an absolutely huge issue" for the government.