Pubdate: Mon, 09 May 2016
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2016 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Ian Godfrey
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n314/a13.html

DRUGS - TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH

It is hoped the article - We can't win war on ice, says Premier ( 
News 5/5) - promotes examination of alternatives to the "zero 
tolerance" policy of the failed "war on drugs".

It is critical we look at drug laws and examine the failures 
associated with criminalising drug-related activities.

A recent publication by Johns Hopkins  Lancet Commission on Drug 
Policy and Health examined the scientific evidence.

A conclusion was that policies meant to prohibit or greatly suppress 
drugs "are portrayed and defended vigorously by many policy makers as 
necessary to preserve public health and safety, and yet the evidence 
suggests that they have contributed directly and indirectly to lethal 
violence, communicable disease transmission, discrimination, forced 
displacement, unnecessary physical pain and the undermining of 
people's rights to health". I urge all to read this. It is critical 
that the issue is examined from a health rather than a criminal 
perspective so that effective long-term benefits can be achieved.

Ian Godfrey, Bayswater
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom