Pubdate: Tue, 16 May 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n554/a03.html
Author: Eric Rumi
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

READERS URGE FORWARD-THINKING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF DRUG ABUSE

Re: Free drugs will lure addicts to B.C., RCMP chief warns, May 2

The more addicts lured to safe injection heroin maintenance sites, 
the better. RCMP Chief Superintendent Derek Ogden seems to have 
forgotten that the purpose of providing free heroin to addicts is to 
treat them. According to a 2005 clinical study, heroin maintenance 
programs in the Netherlands and Switzerland have proven to be equally 
effective as methadone treatments for addicts seeking rehabilitation 
for the first time. Moreover such programs had a 60-per-cent success 
rate for those who fail methadone treatments.

Ogden's assumption that drug use increases with legalization has been 
proven wrong by case studies such as the Netherlands where drug use 
decreased after legalization.

Canadian governments could also tax drugs the way they tax alcohol 
and tobacco, an opportunity they forfeit when drugs remain 
prohibited. These profits could generate immense tax revenues to 
support our aching health-care system.

Eric Rumi

President of Canada's Students for Sensible Drug Policy

McGill University, Montreal
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman