Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jul 2005
Source: Standard, The (St. Catharines, CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, The Standard
Contact:  http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/676
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1134/a08.html

REGULATING SALE OF MARIJUANA COULD STEM RISE OF CRYSTAL METH

Regarding your editorial There's no time to lose in crystal meth battle, 
(The Standard, July 16): How should Ontario respond to the growing use of 
crystal methamphetamine? Here in the United States, New York City chose the 
zero-tolerance approach during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. Meanwhile, 
Washington, DC, Mayor Marion Barry was smoking crack and America's capital 
had the highest per-capita murder rate in the country. Yet crack use 
declined in both cities simultaneously. The decline was not due to a slick 
anti-drug advertising campaign or the passage of mandatory minimum 
sentencing laws. Simply put, the younger generation saw first-hand what 
crack was doing to their older siblings and decided for themselves that 
crack was bad news.

This is not to say nothing can be done about methamphetamine. Access to 
drug treatment is critical for the current generation of users. In order to 
protect future generations from hard drugs like meth, policymakers need to 
adopt the Canadian Senate's common-sense proposal to tax and regulate 
marijuana. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of 
organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with 
addictive drugs like meth. This "gateway" is the direct result of a 
fundamentally flawed policy. Drugpolicy reform may send the wrong message 
to children, but I like to think the children are more important than the 
message.

RobertSharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

CommonSense for DrugPolicy

Washington, DC 
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MAP posted-by: Beth