Pubdate: Sun, 22 May 2011
Source: Observer, The (UK)
Copyright: 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited
Contact:  http://www.observer.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/315
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n312/a05.html

DRUG WARS DON'T WORK

The Misuse of Drugs Act has more in common with the Spanish
Inquisition than modern, evidence-based public health campaigns ("Drug
laws: 40 years on, only a complete change of approach will do", editorial).

Alcohol kills more people than all illegal drugs combined. It's the
drug most closely associated with violent behaviour. Cannabis has
never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it share the
addictive properties of legal tobacco.

If the punitive approach to unhealthy behaviours worked, perhaps it
could be applied to alcoholism, tobacco addiction and obesity. The
drug war has given the US the highest incarceration rate in the world,
yet the US has double the rate of cannabis use as the Netherlands,
where cannabis is legally sold.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington DC 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake