Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 Source: Ubyssey (Canada) Contact: Room 241K, Student Union Bldg., 6138 Student Union Building Boulevard, Vancouver, BC. V6T 1Z2 Fax: (604)822-9279 Accepts LTEs fro Website: http://www.ubyssey.bc.ca/ EDITORIAL: IT'S VIETNAM ALL OVER AGAIN It would appear that the US is in the midst of losing another war. But this time, not even bombing the hell out of Cambodia is going to do anything to stop the inevitable. The battle being waged is the US government's 'War on Drugs,' and the all-out, no-holds-barred, black-and-white attack on narcotics is not going quite as planned. Drugs are still pouring in, people are still getting fucked up, the jails are bursting, and there's not a whole heck of a lot the government can do to rectify the situation. The US' approach to the drug problem is something akin to an alcoholic blaming the bartender for his or her affliction. Never mind that the reason narcotics became such a lucrative market for 'producing' countries-as the US' Drug Enforcement Agency dubbed them-is because demand is so high. Even so, the government proceeds to lock up every pusher in sight, only to have another dozen pop up to take his place. When American President George W. Bush went to Mexico as his first foreign visit, it appeared that Mexican President Vicente Fox was shaping up to be the new Republican leader's lapdog. Not so. Last week, Fox showed a surprising amount of independence-and guts-when, agreeing with Mexican police officials, he advocated the legalisation of drugs as the only effective way to combat narcotics trafficking. The philosophy of legalisation is becoming more and more accepted everywhere. Here in Vancouver, Mayor Phillip Owen announced a new drug policy last November that includes safe injection sites and the medicinal administration of heroin to recovering users. The policy changes come as part of a new 'harm-reduction' approach to the drug problem in the Downtown Eastside. As well, there have been challenges in the Supreme Court of Canada recently over the legitimacy of laws criminalising marijuana. Prompting changes in public sentiment are the obviously futile efforts of governments spending huge sums of money trying to crack down on the international drug trade. The money would be much more effectively used supporting social awareness and education programs designed to tackle drug dependency at a community level. The Free Trade Agreement of the Americas' conference is happening in Quebec City next month. Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle said in an interview last week that he will attempt to open the question of legalisation to debate at the conference. The benefits of decriminalising drugs may not be enough to compel leaders auch as Fox or Batlle to actually pursue legalisation-fear of economic reprisals from the US could effectively quash these sentiments, no matter how entrenched in reason they might be. Still, while no one should expect a global legalisation any time soon, it's encouraging to see the grasp of America's moral crusade against drugs loosening. The 'War on Drugs' has been, and continues to be, a horrible and misguided endeavour. It is time for the US and its partners to admit that they lost the war, and for them to find a new approach. As President Batlle said recently, "Have you watched Traffic? Go tomorrow." - --- MAP posted-by: Kirk Bauer