LAW and order in this country is fast falling into a state of complete chaos.

Every day we read of old ladies being mugged, pensioners robbed and murdered in their own homes, and many other crimes too numerous to mention.

We are told that the majority of those crimes are committed in order to finance a drug habit. It stands to reason that in order to beat the crime wave we must first of all get on top of the drug problem.

The do-gooders have been given a free rein and failed. Drug rehabilitation centres, in spite of all their efforts, have met with little success, and the man and woman on the street are getting fed up with the 'had a hard childhood' and 'cannot be named for legal reasons' syndrome, which is now all too common.

Singapore was once the opium capital of the Orient but since the introduction of the death penalty is now probably the most drug-free city in the world.

Drug addicts should be given a six month amnesty period in which to break the habit. After that time anyone found in possession of, or using or supplying, a Class A drug should be brought to trial and if found guilty should be hanged.

After the first 100 or so executions, we would then see the virtual end of drug-taking in this country.

This may seem a very harsh solution but if we want pensioners to walk the street without fear and for all of us to sleep soundly in our beds, then drastic action has to be taken.

We must smash the drug trade in this country once and for all.

As Mr Churchill often said: 'Action this Day' is what is needed urgently.

R W S

Swindon