Pubdate: Tue, 22 Aug 2017
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Brian Hayes
Page: A7
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v17/n270/a07.html

WAR ON DRUGS: TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH

Re: Decriminalizing drugs no fix for opioid crisis, Aug. 18

Mohammed Adam is way off base in his opposition to the decriminalization 
of possession of illegal drugs.

First of all, he muddles up decriminalization and legalization. But he
also spends too much time on the proposed policy and its impact on the
opioid crisis. Fact is, there's no guaranteed fix for the opioid crisis.

However, decriminalizing simple possession will help bring opioid
addicts out from the fringes of society and into the mainstream, where
they can more readily access the help that they need. But there's a
bigger issue here. Current drug laws make criminals of people guilty
of nothing more than simple drug possession.

Decriminalization would stop the insanity of saddling drug users with
criminal records that burden them for life. It would also free up
resources currently being spent to prosecute drug users and allow for
those resources to be redirected to education and treatment. The war
on drugs has been an abject failure. It's time for a new approach.

Brian Hayes, Nepean
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MAP posted-by: Matt