Pubdate: Wed, 03 Oct 2007
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2007, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1130/a04.html
Author: Rick Lines, International Harm Reduction Association

'GETTING STUPID' ON DRUGS

London -- As a Canadian working in Europe on HIV-prevention issues, I 
am shocked at the cavalier fashion in which Tony Clement is willing 
to sacrifice the public health of Canadians at the altar of 
ideological posturing (Get-Tough Plan On Drugs Doomed, Experts Say - 
Oct. 1). The scientific and medical evidence of the effectiveness of 
harm-reduction programs worldwide over the past 20 years is beyond 
dispute, and a harm-reduction approach is supported by the World 
Health Organization, the United Nations and many other Canadian and 
international expert bodies.

Harm-reduction interventions, such as needle exchange, methadone and 
safe-injection sites, are proven to save lives, prevent the spread of 
HIV infection, and ultimately save public money by fighting the 
spread of expensive-to-treat illnesses. It is hard to see what fault 
any responsible government could find in such positive outcomes.

Until the election of the Harper government, Canada had been seen as 
a world leader in implementing these evidenced-based public health 
policies. The Conservative plan has nothing do with "getting tough" 
on drugs, and everything to do with "getting stupid" on drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart