Pubdate: Wed, 31 Aug 2005
Source: Record, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.royalcityrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1654
Author: Colin Walker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

TOUGH DRUG LAWS NOT THE ANSWER

Editor, The Record:

Re: City cop blasts new meth laws, The Record, Aug. 13.

Crystal meth is a scourge, there is no doubt about that. It is highly 
addictive and very destructive, it kills brain cells and wrecks users' health.

However, using harsher penalties will not help either. Long jail terms have 
not had any effect upon the proliferation of this deadly substance, nor 
does enforcement do anything to address the demand.

Our focus needs to shift away from relying on enforcement and instead move 
towards more prevention and treatment.

It is as if our cops are taking their cues from the U.S. DEA - this call 
for 'tough on crime' measures is a play straight from the U.S. 
drug-warriors handbooks and is the thin edge of the wedge.

We do not need to import the U.S. drug war.

It doesn't work for them but sure fills jails. Jails, I might add, where 
one can still get the drugs.

We need to decriminalize all drugs so people with drug problems do not have 
to admit being criminals when they finally do want to stop using.

We need rehab centres, not more prisons.

We need leadership and solutions, not just to mimic the mistakes of our 
southern neighbor.

Colin Walker

New Westminster 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman