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
Author: George T. H. Fuller
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

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

It appears Chief Superintendent Derek Ogden has learned nothing from 
the failed drug policies that Canada and the U.S. have pursued for 
more than half a century. Billions of dollars have been spent, 
leaving us with an illegal international trade in drugs, extensive 
criminal activity and lost lives. This war has been lost. Are we the 
last to learn from our failed policies?

It is time to cooperate with some of our European friends by 
rejecting the purely punitive approach, and experimenting with a 
legalized distribution system.

There will always be people pursuing mind-altering drugs. The failure 
of Prohibition to stop alcohol use should be a lesson to us. Take the 
profit out of the sale of drugs, and distribute them legally. The 
cost of doing otherwise is too great.

We will always have criminals, but the incentive will be far less 
when the profits are substantially less. We need new strategies, not 
the same failed policies. The cost in lost lives and criminal 
activity is just too great.

George T. H. Fuller

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman