Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jun 2004
Source: Hindustan Times (India)
Copyright: 2004, Hindustan Times Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.hindustantimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/910
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

TO WIN THE DRUG WAR

On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 
governments around the world need to rethink their strategy on tackling 
this social problem. As in the case of the prohibition of alcohol in some 
states, the criminalisation of drug use and its sale hasn't been of much 
use in mitigating the situation. Despite the best efforts, the world is no 
nearer to meeting its target of significantly reducing the supply and 
demand of drugs by 2008. On the other hand, its repression has only led to 
a proliferation of its illicit trade and given rise to organised crime on a 
massive scale. Besides, the social taboo associated with substance abuse 
prevents those dependent on certain drugs from coming forward for treatment.

Government strategy in India, for example, does not go beyond the law and 
order approach. Surely, there is something lopsided about the National 
Drugs and Psychotropics Substances Act that can get you a ten-year jail 
sentence for possessing 10 grams of marijuana, a fairly mild drug that has 
been legalised in many countries, while a violent crime like rape will 
fetch you five-seven years.

India has the misfortune of being sandwiched between two of the world's 
largest opium producing areas -- Afghanistan and the Golden Triangle. By 
one count there are some four million people who are victims of drug abuse. 
Besides the associated health concerns, including the risk of transmitting 
HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases through the sharing of needles, it 
also takes a terrible toll on families, if not communities. The way out has 
to be a combination of counselling, detoxification and rehabilitation 
programmes as well as interdiction of hard drugs. It may be a good idea to 
decriminalise some of the milder drugs so as to focus the effort on hard 
drugs like heroin and cocaine. As in the case of abuse of other substances 
like cigarettes and alcohol, the way to go is to build up awareness of its 
negative effects through education and family and community efforts.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager