Pubdate: Sat, 11 Jun 2011
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2011 PG Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/pm4R4dI4
Website: http://www.post-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341
Author: Amesh A. Adalja, M.D.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n360/a01.html

BODILY RIGHTS

I applaud the conclusions of the Global Commission on Drug Policy --
detailed in Tony Norman's June 3 column ("Ease Up in Drug War? Smart
But Unlikely") -- that announce what has become patently obvious for
decades: The war on drugs is a misguided effort that foments violence
and abets organized crime.

However, I fear the commission's conclusions will fall on willfully
deaf ears. Until Americans embrace the idea that people have an
inalienable right to do what they wish with their bodies -- even if
their actions are harmful -- no amount of rational persuasion or
empiric evidence will succeed.

AMESH A. ADALJA, M.D.

Butler
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.