Cop's badge sought over drug comments

COLWYN BAY, Wales, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The head of Britain's North Wales police force is facing calls for his resignation after he claimed the illegal drug ecstasy is "safer than aspirin."

Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom made the claim during a radio interview that focused on his repeated calls for the legalization of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, the Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

Brunstrom said in response to a question about the dangers of illegal drugs such as ecstasy that "the reverse is the case. Ecstasy is a remarkably safe substance. It's far safer than aspirin."

"There's a lot of scaremongering and rumormongering around ecstasy in particular. It isn't borne out by the evidence," he said.

Peter Stoker of the National Drugs Prevention Alliance called on Brunstrom to resign.

"His comments are increasingly incompatible with his position," said Stoker.

Mary Brett, British spokeswoman for the Europe Against Drugs campaign group, also called for Brunstrom to resign.

"Richard Brunstrom is supposed to be a figure of authority and responsibility, respected by young people, and he's sending out a very dangerous message," she said. "When you add together all the stupid comments he has made, I believe he should quit."