Pubdate: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI) Copyright: 2015 Journal-Pioneer Contact: http://www.journalpioneer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789 Author: Desmond Colohan Page: A6 CRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE IS NOT WORKING The "war on drugs" was intended to reduce psychoactive drug use. Its specific aim was to inhibit and destroy the international illicit drug trade - making drugs scarcer and costlier, and therefore making drug habits unaffordable. The data show just the opposite has occurred. Illicit drugs are more affordable and more readily available than ever. Criminologists generally agree that prohibition has had some downward effect on the supply and use of illicit drugs. The real question is whether it's been worth the effort, as we are left with a strained criminal justice system and a proliferation of drug-related violence. If the drug war has failed to significantly reduce drug production, use and trafficking then perhaps it doesn't justify the cost. Alternatives to prohibition might include the decriminalization or legalization of illicit drugs. Drug abuse is a major international health problem. About four per cent of the global burden of disease, as measured in disability-adjusted life years, is attributable to each of our legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and 0.8 per cent to illicit drugs. Arguments for legalizing/decriminalizing illicit drug use include: - - Legalization takes control away from criminal suppliers by removing the profit motive. - Violence and murder often accompany drug trafficking and would be reduced with the legalization of illicit drugs. - - Tax and other revenues generated by the legal sale of currently illicit drugs could be used to help fund drug awareness campaigns and treatment programs for those who might become addicted. - - The costs of drugs could be significantly lowered, which would help ease criminal activity, such as theft and prostitution, now paying for drug abuse and addiction. - - There would be less need for prison space to house those convicted for possession and crimes against property. - - Greater government control would make it more of a challenge for underage individuals to get their hands on psychoactive substances. - Addiction and abuse are health problems, not criminal justice issues, and should be treated as such. - - Decriminalization would make it more likely that those arrested for drug possession and use got rehab instead of jail. - - Decriminalization reduces infectious disease transmission, makes access to drug rehab easier and more socially acceptable and does not cause a significant increase in drug abuse or addiction rates [Portugal]. Arguments against legalizing/decriminalizing illicit drug use include: - - Those who have only used marijuana may expand their drug use to include more highly addictive drugs. - - There will be an increase in impaired driving if psychoactive drugs become more readily available. - - It may be easier for children to obtain psychoactive and potentially-addictive drugs, especially if their parents abuse drugs. - - Greater availability of psychoactive drugs may lead to increased domestic violence, more home accidents and increased psychotic behaviors in people with underlying mental illnesses. - - It would be difficult to regulate illicit drugs and keep them out of the wrong hands. It would also create additional temptation for people who face addiction challenges. - - It is just plain immoral for us to tacitly condone abusive and addictive behaviours. - - Addiction and abuse involve personal choices and people should be held accountable for their misbehaviours. Criminalization of drug use is not working. There must be a better way to manage our very serious problem of drug abuse and addiction. Should we treat heroin, marijuana, cocaine or amphetamines as we do alcohol and tobacco? Talk about it. Make this an issue. Desmond Colohan is a P.E.I. physician with a keen interest in responsible and effective social policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt