I'M writing about Steve Clements's thoughtful letter Law's Failure, (January 26).

A recent Los Angeles Times article revealed that in the Czech Republic adults may legally possess and grow small amounts of cannabis. The article said that Czech citizens use cannabis at higher rates than any other western European country.

Therefore, according to the logic of our drug war cheerleaders, the Czech Republic must have a very high crime rate.

When I did a Google search I found that they have a homicide rate of two per 100,000 population. Their rate of robbery and violent theft was the same.

Drug offences are listed at one per 100,000 population per year.

I suggest that the readers compare the US, British and Czech crime rates, then decide which country has the best drug policies.

Kirk Muse,

South Clearview Avenue,

Mesa, Arizona.

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, February 01, 2006