Pubdate: Fri, 23 May 2003
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2003 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n739/a04.html
Author: Stan White

DRUGS AND BORDERS

Regarding the report "Canada splits with U.S. on
drugs" (May 20):

In all fairness, while Canada has been criticized by the United States
for legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, America has been
criticized for its discredited, zero tolerance, draconian drug
policies and its associated overuse of the prison system.

I don't condone injecting drugs, but Canada's safe injection sites
must be a more humane way of dealing with drug use than anything
America is doing. Locking up drug addicts to forget about them is
reminiscent of America's prohibition era. It doesn't work.

It is peculiar that John Walters, the U.S. drug control policy
director, has said the United States might be forced to increase
border security. I would have thought after Sept. 11 the tightening of
the borders would not have left any room for improvement.

Stan White, Dillon, Colorado