Pubdate: Sat, 02 Jun 2007
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Paul Martel
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

TORY POLICY TROUBLING

I am deeply troubled by the "new" regressive Tory drug policy.

The Conservatives are planning to adopt Ronald Reagan-style drug 
policies in a futile attempt to fight the scourge of illegal drugs.

This is a war that is not winnable on the supply side. People who 
argue that the only way to win the war on drugs is to put people 
behind bars should look to the U.S. Its prisons are overflowing with 
people caught using or possessing drugs. Yet, the drug problems its 
communities face are getting worse.

The only way to win a drug war is on the demand side. Currently, of 
the $500 million spent in Canada fighting the drug war, 90 per cent 
is spent on enforcement and only 10 per cent on education, treatment, 
and other harm-reduction strategies. This is obscene.

The police and court systems have a vested interest in ramping up the 
war on drugs. They know that if Canada adopted more liberal drug 
policies, they would be out of a job.

People should have the right to put any substance into their bodies 
they'd like, as long as they act responsibly while high. Punish those 
individuals who act irresponsibly and dangerously when they're using drugs.

To learn the facts from irrefutable, scientific sources, visit the 
website www.drugwarfacts.org .

Paul Martel

Peace River
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman