Pubdate: Sun, 26 May 2002
Source: Observer, The (UK)
Copyright: 2002 The Observer
Contact:  http://www.observer.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/315
Author: Peter Martin
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n951/a02.html?1704

MANAGING DRUGS

Freedom to use drugs is not the hallmark of a progressive society, as A.C. 
Grayling (Comment, last week) seems to think. The small number of people 
who 'manage' their drug use are the least of our worries. It is much more 
important for the media to promote greater understanding of addiction.

Ultimately, treatment is the solution, whether drugs are legal or illegal. 
Addiction means people want more. A cheap and available addictive commodity 
will be used more widely. It will also create its own black market. There 
is little sympathy for the addict, and that may undermine the will of 
policymakers to put real money into effective treatment.We can't legislate 
to prohibit addiction. The civil liberties argument is for the freedom to 
die of addiction, which is a different argument entirely.

Peter Martin

Chief Executive, Addaction, London
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