Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2001
Source: Ubyssey (Canada)
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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."
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MAP posted-by: Kirk Bauer