Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Phil Lyons

WAR ON DRUGS IS ALREADY LOST

Why is the direction of discussion on the problem of drug use always 
toward increasing the law-and-order approach? The only way to 
decrease the illegal drug problem is to legalize the use of all 
drugs, regulate their use and fund services to help those who wish to 
get off drugs.

If we remove the obscene profits from the pushers, get the police 
busy dealing with real crimes and increase the education of citizens, 
we will only be faced with the problems that we face with alcohol and 
tobacco use, which are minuscule compared with the costs associated 
with the current legal and medical approach.

It is no accident that the U.S.-driven invasion of Afghanistan has 
had one major economic outcome: Afghanistan has become the world's 
largest supplier of illegal drugs. We must bite the bullet and face 
the bitter truth that the "war against drugs" has been lost and we 
should make radical changes in our approach.

Phil Lyons,

Victoria.
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