Pubdate: Sat, 10 May 2003
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n623/a04.html

DRUG POLICY SHOULD FOCUS ON REDUCING DEATH AND DISEASE

If draconian penalties served to deter drug use, the U.S. would be 
"drug-free" instead of the world's largest jailer (Who's the crook? What's 
the crime?, Ian Mulgrew, April 29). Perhaps the most telling evidence of 
drug war failure is the fact that lifetime use of marijuana is higher in 
the U.S. than in any European country, many of which have decriminalized pot.

Drug policy should focus not on incarcerating users of politically 
incorrect drugs, but rather on reducing the death, disease, crime and 
suffering associated with both abuse and prohibition. The drug war fuels 
organized crime and violence, which is then used to justify increased drug 
war spending.

Eliminating the stigma and penalties associated with illicit drug use would 
facilitate rehabilitation and save lives. I think it's safe to say that the 
turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if alcoholism 
were a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal. Drug abuse is bad, but the 
drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Alex