Pubdate: Mon, 4 Dec 2006
Source: University Daily Kansan, The (Lawrence, KS Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The University Daily Kansan
Contact:  http://www.kansan.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2809
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1633/a11.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

PROVIDING DRUGS CONTROLS CRIME

Switzerland already has program in place Prescription heroin 
maintenance, as well as the legalization of marijuana, would deprive 
organized crime of a core client base. This would render illegal drug 
trafficking unprofitable and spare future generations addiction.

Regarding McKay Stangler's Nov. 28 editorial on the late Milton 
Friedman, there is a middle ground between drug prohibition and free 
market legalization.  Switzerland's heroin maintenance program has 
been shown to reduce disease, death and crime among chronic users.

Providing addicts with standardized doses in a clinical setting 
eliminates many of the problems associated with heroin use. Heroin 
maintenance pilot projects are underway in Canada, Germany, Spain and 
the Netherlands.

If expanded, prescription heroin maintenance would deprive organized 
crime of a core client base. This would render illegal heroin 
trafficking unprofitable and spare future generations addiction.

Marijuana should be taxed and regulated like alcohol, only without 
the ubiquitous advertising.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical.  As long as 
marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, 
consumers of the most popular illicit drug will continue to come into 
contact with sellers of methamphetamine.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol aE" the 
plant has never been shown to cause an overdose death aE" it makes no 
sense to waste scarce resources on failed policies that finance 
organized crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs. Students who 
want to help reform harmful drug laws should contact Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy at www.ssdp.org

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake