Pubdate: Fri, 16 Mar 2001
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 Canberra Times
Contact:  9 Pirie Street , Fyshwick, Canberra, ACT 2609
Fax: 02 6280 2282
Website: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Author: Peter Watney

DRUG LAWS ARE NOT WORKING

March 25 is the 40th anniversary of the signing of the UN Single Convention 
on Narcotic Drugs 1961. Article 2,5 urges the prohibition of cannabis and 
heroin.

Prohibited drugs are available in prisons throughout the world. Prison 
authorities control all entries and departures and can exercise continuous 
surveillance over inmates. If they are unable to prevent distribution and 
use of prohibited drugs, what hope is there of imposing Article 2,5 over a 
country at large?

The US employs some 7700 border guards on its border with Mexico with the 
duty of excluding illegal immigrants and illicit drugs. Some seven tonnes 
of illicit drugs make that crossing each day. Further quantities cross the 
longer Canadian border with only 300 guards, and yet more enter through sea 
and air ports.

The US authored the UN Single Convention and is itself quite unable to 
enforce the Controlled Substances Act which brings the intent of Article 
2,5 within its statute book.

Prohibitory laws have made illegal drugs the most profitable substances to 
sell by giving them the highest markups on earth. As a direct result of 
these laws illicit drugs have become the second or third biggest market in 
the world.

We have allowed our laws to be brought into contempt by this impossible 
Convention for 40 long years. Enough is enough.

PETER WATNEY, Holt
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