Pubdate: Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Herald and Weekly Times
Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/letter
Website: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/187
Cited: http://www.gcdpsummary2014.com/ Taking Control
Page: 32

WAR ON DRUGS 'FAILED'

A 21-MEMBER international panel has urged a global overhaul of drug 
policies, calling for drugs such as marijuana to be regulated, an end 
to incarceration for drug use and possession, and greater emphasis on 
protecting public health.

The Global Commission on Drug Policy said traditional measures in the 
"war on drugs" such as eradicating acres of illicit crops, seizing 
large quantities of illegal drugs, and arresting and jailing 
violators of drug laws had failed.

The commission's 45-page report pointed to rising drug production and 
use, citing a UN estimate that the number of users rose from 203 
million in 2008 to 243 million in 2012.

The commission includes former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan; the 
former presidents of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, 
Portugal and Switzerland; British tycoon Richard Branson and former 
US Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker.

This report encourages experiments in legally regulating markets in 
currently illicit drugs "beginning with but not limited to cannabis, 
coca leaf and certain novel psychoactive substances".

It called for "equitable access to essential medicines, in particular 
opiate-based medications for pain".
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom