Pubdate: Sun, 16 Mar 2003
Source: Taipei Times, The (Taiwan)
Copyright: 2003 The Taipei Times
Contact:  http://www.taipeitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1553
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n362/a01.html

SAY NO TO US DRUG INQUISITION

The US State Department's recent assessment of Taiwan's cooperation in the 
drug war is a clear indicator that the US government uses its superpower 
status to export a dangerous moral crusade around the globe ("US reports on 
laundering crimes, drugs in Taiwan," Mar. 3, page 4). The 
tough-on-some-drugs approach is a proven failure.

Consider the experience of the former land of the free and current record 
holder in citizens incarcerated. Police searches on public transit, 
drug-sniffing dogs in schools, and random drug testing have led to a loss 
of civil liberties in the US, while failing miserably at preventing drug use.

Based on finds that criminal records are inappropriate as health 
interventions and ineffective as deterrents, a majority of EU countries 
have decriminalized marijuana. Despite marijuana prohibition and perhaps 
because of forbidden fruit appeal, lifetime use of marijuana is higher in 
the US than any European country.

The drug war is in large part a war on marijuana, by far the most popular 
illicit drug. Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an 
overdose death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. 
Unfortunately, marijuana represents the counterculture to misguided 
reactionaries intent on legislating their version of morality. Taiwan 
should follow the lead of Europe and "just say no" to the American inquisition.

Robert Sharpe

Washington
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth