Pubdate: Tue, 28 Feb 2006
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Christina Toth, Staff reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?233 (LEAP)

WAR ON DRUGS A JOKE TO EX-COP

In Norm Stamper's world, the "drug store" is a place that is much 
different from what generally comes to mind.

The 28-year police veteran of the San Diego police department and 
former Seattle police chief wants to see all street drugs legalized, 
firmly regulated and sold just like we sell alcohol today.

And his "shopping list" includes marijuana, cocaine, heroin, even 
crystal methamphetamine.

"The more dangerous the drug, the more addictive and the greater the 
potential for health risks, the greater the justification for 
regulation," he said last week in a phone interview from his San Juan 
Island home.

Instead of making drugs more accessible, Stamper believes regulation 
would make availability far more difficult, especially for children 
and teens, who can get their hands on street drugs easier than they 
can on a six-pack of beer.

Drug regulation policies would make communities healthier and the 
jobs of police officers safer by removing the criminally-controlled 
black market, he says. The grow-ops, the meth labs, the gunfights 
between rival dealers would be gone if the profit motive disappeared.

"Drug traffickers would be out of business the day the ink dries on 
legislation on regulation," said Stamper.

The veteran cop developed his views by seeing what he calls the 
"futility of prohibition."

Stamper doesn't see much sense in imprisoning hundreds of thousands 
of non-violent people in U.S. jails, while perpetuating a system 
custom-made for traffickers and crime.

He makes it clear however, that he has no sympathy for drug dealers 
and he doesn't promote drug use. He does believe adults have the 
right to use drugs, but if their behaviour becomes irresponsible, 
they should be accountable, just as in cases involving alcohol.

Stamper, who has a doctorate in behavioural psychology, is a speaker 
for LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, [www.leap.cc] an 
international group of current and former cops, judges, wardens and 
others who think the "war on drugs," is a colossal failure.

Stamper will be at the Abbotsford campus of the Fraser Valley 
University College tonight [5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.], debating the issue 
of prohibition with UCFV criminology professor Dr. Darryl Plecas, and 
Abbotsford police chief Ian Mackenzie, who also teaches at UCFV.

Plecas was one of the authors of an extensive report commissioned by 
the RCMP on the marijuana industry in British Columbia.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom