Pubdate: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 Source: Detroit News (MI) Copyright: 2005, The Detroit News Contact: http://detnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126 Author: Stephen Heath LIMITING ALLERGY PILLS WON'T REDUCE METH ABUSE While The News' observations have laudable intent, I humbly submit the most urgent question for Michigan policymakers should be: Will placing limitations on the sale of cold medicines do anything to reduce the amount of methamphetamine abuse within our state? ("Allergy medicine restrictions are necessary," July 20). My personal experience, along with that of the drug abusers I've worked with in treatment and recovery settings, suggests the answer is a resounding "no." Even with commercial obstacles to ingredients (which, of course, unduly inconvenience non-meth makers) and regardless of how many Americans police arrest and incarcerate for meth-related offenses, not a single addict is any closer to true recovery. And no one in Michigan or anywhere else who wants illegal amphetamines will have much trouble scoring. The priority should be to reduce demand, not to waste time jailing users and futilely attempting to inhibit distribution. The urgent priority should be to reduce demand for illegal amphetamines. We need to increase access to strong stimulants so the illegal market cannot compete. And we need to transfer the monies currently used to incarcerate drug abusers into programs which allow treatment on demand for any drug abuser who wants it. Such treatment should be available regardless of the drug of abuse -- whether that drug be meth, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine or opiates. STEPHEN HEATH Public Relations Director Drug Policy Forum of Florida Clearwater, Fla. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)