Hitchens urges tough drugs policy

Newspaper columnist Peter Hitchens has told a committee of MPs that he would like to see the government introduce a more hardline policy on drugs.

Speaking at the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into drugs policy, he said a softer approach to drugs in recent years had led to a drastic rise in the number of people taking drugs.

Mr Hitchens is currently working on a book entitled 'The War We Never Fought - Britain's non-existent war on drugs'.

The committee also heard from comedian and actor Russell Brand who said taking drugs should not be seen as a "criminal or judicial matter" but a "health issue".