The hysteria surrounding drugs continues unabated with numerous stories on the front pages of national newspapers.

Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth speaking on behalf of the Government admitted that they are "not going to be entirely successful in keeping drugs out of the club scene."

There have been many curious and misguided directives from Whitehall in recent times but thankfully, at last, there seems to be a long overdue recognition of reality.

It seems the authorities have realised that if they can't stop drugs getting into prisons how can they expect to stop them getting into nightclubs.

The Government has realised that best practice for nightclub owners should include the provision of a 'chill out' room, a facility which could help to save lives.

This progressive, pro-active attitude, which actually best reflects current public opinion, is to be welcomed.

What a shame our local police force are so out of touch with these prevailing attitudes towards drugs enforcement as shown by their handling of the Warehouse case in Lancaster.

It seems the Lancaster force is now even out of touch with Westminster and Whitehall.

I for one hope the Warehouse case, which has yet to go before a jury, makes them seriously reconsider their reactionary, heavy-handed approach.

It does nothing to solve the problem but actually makes a difficult situation worse.

A McCormack

Scale Hall

Lancaster