Pubdate: Mon, 01 Dec 2014
Source: Expositor, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Brantford Expositor
Contact: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/letters
Website: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1130
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A4
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n887/a01.html

DRUG WAR IMPORTANT TO ADDICTION BATTLE

Regarding Fred Rinne's Nov. 18 column, "Addiction awareness will 
require all of us," when it comes to battling addiction, 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.

Drug war enforcement results in preventable deaths. Rehabilitation 
also is confounded. Turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be 
dramatically lower if alcoholism were treated as a crime rather than 
a medical condition.

Eliminating the penalties associated with illicit drug use would 
encourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate 
rehabilitation and save lives.

Canada used to be a global leader in harm reduction at a time when 
the United States was building a massive prison-industrial complex. 
Those roles have reserved.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper unfortunately seems intent on 
ratcheting up the drug war in Canada.

Robert Sharpe Policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom