Pubdate: Sun, 25 Aug 2013
Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN)
Copyright: 2013 Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/992
Note: Paper does not publish LTE's outside its circulation area
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n418/a11.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

DRUG WAR LEADS TO PREVENTABLE DEATHS

Regarding Leonard Pitts' Aug. 18 column, the drug war is part of the 
problem. Illegal drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention 
in the event of an overdose for fear of being charged with a crime. 
Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a murder 
charge. Overzealous drug war enforcement results in preventable deaths.

Rehabilitation also is confounded. I think it's safe to say that 
turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if 
alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal. Eliminating 
the penalties associated with illicit drug use would encourage the 
type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and 
save lives.

ROBERT SHARPE, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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