Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n052/a01.html Author: Patrick Mackenzie WE NEED TO FIND A HUMANE WAY TO DEAL WITH DRUG ISSUE Re: Drug abuse 'a medical issue,' Jan. 16 I am so glad I live in a country where two-thirds of the population surveyed believes that drug addiction should be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's proposed "get tough on drug use" strategy is guaranteed to do two things: One, put already marginalized, disenfranchised people in jail; and, two, do absolutely nothing to solve the problem of drug addiction. Conservatives, wake up. How many times do you need to be told that the war on drugs is a total failure? We need to find new and humane ways to deal with what is ultimately a public health crisis. Patrick Mackenzie Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman