Pubdate: Mon, 26 Dec 2016
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Mark H. White
Page: A16

LEGALIZE DRUGS TO ARREST DEATH TOLL

There is an easy way to stop this crisis in its tracks. Legalize
street drugs, in a controlled way, so that addicts can get what they
need without having to resort to dealers who provide products of
unknown purity. If alcohol and tobacco were illegal, there would be
even more deaths from adulterated products. As a bonus a lot of
dealers would be out of business.

I cannot imagine why this has not been done. I realize that there are
legal impediments to doing this, but we do have a serious problem. The
laws should be changed immediately, or if necessary, broken by the
health authorities in order to save lives. If done, everyone wins, the
addicts stay alive and out of trouble, the police and other
first-responders can take a much-needed rest, the illegal distribution
network collapses, and the social workers can help these people in a
more productive way. There is no time to waste, this needs to be done
ASAP.

Mark H. White, Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Matt