Pubdate: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2005 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Gary Marshall WAR ON DRUGS CAUSES CHAOS Re: Gangs Joining Forces, Aug. 20. Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair believes that "people who buy ... drugs have to understand the connection between their activity and the violence that's taking place in the city." Looking back to the Prohibition years, one might easily suggest that it was the alcohol drinkers who were the source of so much mayhem and death. But they were not. In fact, it was the stupidity of the authorities in criminalizing deeds that little warranted such censure. Before Prohibition there was no violence in the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol, nor was there any after the apparatus of Prohibition was dismantled. One can easily find a parallel in the laws and actions of the authorities today. The government has chosen to criminalize behaviour that should be dealt with by doctors and addiction specialists. In prohibiting substances to which only a tiny fragment of the population is addicted, the courts, law enforcement and our legislators have unleashed violence that has cost too many lives and caused too much destruction. And all Chief Blair has to show for the immense sums invested in the war on drugs is failure after failure. If the police cannot even keep drugs out of prisons, how do they ever expect to keep them away from the public at large? The effort is a futile one as the foe is invincible and always will be. So put your sword down, Chief Blair, and let the medical community handle the problem from now on. Gary Marshall, Winnipeg. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom