Pubdate: Wed, 28 May 2003
Source: San Francisco Bay Guardian, The (CA)
Copyright: 2003 San Francisco Bay Guardian
Contact:  http://www.sfbg.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/387
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n731/a12.html

END THE MADNESS

Kudos to Annalee Newitz for an excellent column on the downside of zero 
tolerance [Techsploitation, 5/14/03]. If harsh penalties served to deter 
illicit drug use, the elusive goal of a "drug-free" America would have been 
achieved decades ago. Instead of adding to what is already the highest 
incarceration rate in the world, we should be funding cost-effective drug 
treatment. 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 drug abuse and prohibition.

Drug prohibition fuels organized crime and violence, which is then used to 
justify increased drug war spending. It's time to end this madness. At 
present illicit drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the 
event of an overdose. Attempting to save the life of a friend could result 
in a murder charge. Eliminating the stigma and penalties associated with 
illicit drug use would facilitate rehabilitation and save lives. 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.

Robert Sharpe, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager