Pubdate: Tue, 15 Sep 2009
Source: Didsbury Review, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 The Didsbury Review
Contact:  http://www.didsburyreview.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2381
Author: Dan Singleton

DRUG STRATEGY A GOOD STEP

The latest in a long line of federal drug strategies - this one aimed 
specifically at so-called synthetic drugs - is a much needed and 
welcome effort.

The Synthetic Drug Initiative, announced this month, is the first 
Canadian drug strategy to focus entirely on a single class of drugs.

If it succeeds in putting more illegal drug makers in prison and 
keeping more of these extremely dangerous drugs out of Alberta 
schools it will benefit everyone, including residents of West Central Alberta.

Synthetic drugs include MDMA, or ecstasy, as it is commonly known, 
and methamphetamine, both drugs popular among some Canadian youth; 
and in the case of methamphetamine, highly addictive and dangerous to 
the user's health.

The aim of the new strategy is to do away, as much as possible, with 
the production and distribution of synthetic drugs and to reduce the 
overall influence of organized crime on drug trafficking in Canada, 
said Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety.

"The production, trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs will 
not be tolerated. The initiative will target illicit synthetic drug 
industry on three fronts; enforcement, deterrence and prevention," he said.

Justice Minister Nicholson added: "Our government recognizes that 
illegal drugs undermine healthy and safe communities, fuel organized 
crime and foster street-level gangs."

This new strategy is the latest in a long string of similar anti-drug 
initiatives undertaken by justice and health officials over the past 
year. And while it may appear that the war against drugs is an 
endless, losing battle, the efforts are absolutely necessary.

Leona Aglukkaq, federal minister of health, says halting the 
proliferation of illegal drugs amounts, in the end, to a public health issue.

"This initiative is a critical step in the co-ordinated fight against 
the serious dangers to public health and safety posed by the illegal 
production of synthetic drugs and their widespread trafficking across 
Canada," said Aglukkaq.

Canada's health-care systems are under enough pressure these days 
without having to deal with children and adults addicted to synthetic 
drugs made and distributed by organized crime.

If this new strategy leads to fewer people having their health 
permanently ruined by these dangerous substances, then all the 
expense and effort will be worthwhile.

And while programs that provide treatment for addicts of all ages 
must also continue to be supported by all levels of government, any 
initiative that helps police put the drug makers in jail is good news.

The war against illegal drugs will not be won by this new initiative, 
but it will hopefully make a difference.

And to those critics who say targeting illegal drugs is 
counterproductive, the question remains: which is more important, 
organized crime profits or public health?
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart