Pubdate: Sun,  2 Mar 2003
Source: Sunday Telegraph, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/436
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
http://www.mapinc.org/people/Brian+Watters

EXPERTS AGAINST 'UTOPIA'

THE proposal for licensed drug outlets was "utopian" and unlikely to stop
substance abuse or the black market, health experts yesterday warned.

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre spokesman Paul Dillon said that
while the current system was not working, legalisation was not an
alternative. 

It would require sweeping changes in community attitudes, education for
young people and law enforcement. 

"There is not a country in the world with that policy, even in the
Netherlands, where they have cannabis cafes," Mr Dillon said. 

"It would be a very brave or stupid government to try such a policy -- it
would just never happen." 

Salvation Army Major Brian Watters, who chairs the National Council on
Drugs, said he was opposed to such a plan. 

He said lowering the price of drugs would increase availability,
acceptability and usage. 

"Anyone who talks about ecstasy and cannabis in terms of recreation is
trying to equate them to tennis or golf," he said. 

"These substances destroy people." 

Family Drug Support group spokesman Tony Trimingham said the proposal had
merit and would offer addicts a safeguard. "I'm cautious, but in some ways a
regulated market is better than a black market," he said.
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