Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 Source: Leduc Representative (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Leduc Representative Contact: http://www.leducrepresentative.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2265 Author: Robert Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) MARIJUANA NEEDS TO BE REGULATED Dear Editor: How should Leduc respond to the growing use of methamphetamine? Here in the United States, New York City chose the zero tolerance approach during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was smoking crack and the U.S. capital had the highest per-capita murder rate in the country. Yet crack use declined in both cities simultaneously. The decline was not due to anti-drug advertising or the passage of mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Simply put, the younger generation saw first hand what crack was doing to their older siblings. This is not to say that nothing can be done about methamphetamine. Access to drug treatment is critical for the current generation of addicts. In order to protect future generations from drugs like meth, policymakers need to adopt the Canadian Senate's common sense recommendations regarding marijuana. In the words of Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue." Taxing and regulating marijuana is a cost-effective alternative to the never-ending drug war. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs like meth. This "gateway" is the direct result of a fundamentally flawed policy. Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think the children are more important than the message. Robert Sharpe, M.P.A. Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance, www.drugpolicy.org, Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager