Pubdate: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 Source: Lake Cowichan Gazette, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Black Press Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/qVfIVacM Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4076 Author: Viviane Varan WE NEED MORE HOSPITALS FOR DRUG ABUSE, NOT MORE JAILS AND PRISONS EDITOR: Are you folks tired of old toxic dinosaurs who just refuse to die? There are bosses telling you you must do something you hate and know to be cruel and ineffectual, not to mention a hazard to life and limb, especially something that makes you highly unpopular to a very large amount of people who might have been most likely supportive otherwise. The so called war on drugs is the best example of such nonsense and I want to give kudos to a brave independent organization called LEAP, as in Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. It's brave because this organization is exclusively comprised of current and former members of law enforcement from Canada, the U.S. and abroad, including some very prestigious names and their ranks are growing rapidly. There must be a God. I mean biting the hand that feeds you is not the easiest politically correct thing to do, so yes, they are brave and just. LEAP says that 100 years ago the ratio of people with drug issues was identical to the ratio today, so the war on drugs only accomplished two things: making some people very rich while causing massive colateral damage costs; and an exercise in futility. LEAP sees substance issues as a medical predisposition and problem, not a criminal act. I think something like LEAP is a very exciting phenomena and may I be so bold as to say it's a lawful rebellion waging peace that has started in the past five years. Jails are passe. We need more hospitals up there, somewhere. What are you gonna do when the bulk of the people and the police start working together? Sure you can paint us all black, go ahead, but remember you cannot see black on black and that's how dark this war on drugs really has become. Prove me wrong. To find out more about LEAP, visit their amazing site at www.leap.cc. Viviane Varan, Lake Cowichan - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom