Pubdate: Wed, 10 Oct 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Jim Cooper

DRUG STRATEGY REPEATS OLD FAILURES

It would be wonderful to see a drug policy based on harm reduction 
and research, but instead it's the same old tried and proven useless 
"get tough" stuff.

The Conservative government's anti-drug strategy will work if their 
objective is to fill prisons and further entrench organized crime in 
our communities. Otherwise, why would our elected officials keep on 
doing the same old things and expect different results?

We have good models for dealing with other addictive substances that 
have enormously expensive and destructive social impacts.

Let's seriously consider controlling illicit drugs just as we do 
tobacco and alcohol. That would divert billions of dollars from 
organized crime, prisons and enforcement to intelligent treatment of 
a public-health issue.

If the Conservatives would listen to their own experts, we would be 
seeing a much more intelligent, evidence-based and humane drug 
strategy for Canadians.

Jim Cooper,

Duncan
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman