Pubdate: Tue, 17 Dec 2002
Source: Daily Herald (IL)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Robert Sharpe

HARSHLY PUNITIVE STEPS DON'T DETER DRUG USE

According to a Dec. 2 article, "A new anti-drug law touted as a way to 
punish club-drug dealers is being used to lodge drug-induced homicide 
charges against friends who help friends get high."

This reaffirms an already bad precedent. Drug users are reluctant to seek 
medical attention in the event of an overdose for fear of being charged 
with a crime. Attempting to save a life could result in a murder charge.

Overzealous drug enforcement results in easily preventable deaths. 
Rehabilitation also is confounded. I think it's safe to say that turnout at 
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if alcoholism were a 
crime pursued with zero-tolerance zeal.

Eliminating the penalties associated with illicit drug abuse would 
encourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate 
rehabilitation and save lives.

Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C.
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