Pubdate: Tue, 27 May 2003 Source: Esquimalt News (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Esquimalt News Contact: http://www.esquimaltnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1290 Author: Christopher Largen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) DRUGS ARE A HEALTH ISSUE Despite the overzealous reaction of the American drug czar, Canada's recent push for sensible decriminalization policies gives hope to many U.S. citizens, like myself, who are fighting a war we never declared. Our casualty list is a poignant reflection of our national diversity. We are sick patients denied access to medical cannabis while we wither away. We are children shot in the crossfire between black market profiteers and law enforcement officials. We are innocent citizens killed by police in our own homes during faulty drug raids. We are police officers tortured and murdered over black-market profits. We are taxpayers who waste $40 billion annually to fight a war that can never be won. We are people who die addicted or imprisoned because most of our government resources are spent on law enforcement instead of treatment. After 30 years of perpetually escalating sentences and draconian policies, we've lost more of our citizens here at home than we ever did in Iraq. Despite this devastating human carnage, illegal drugs are still readily available on any given street corner in America. This is the terrible result of attempting to treat a public health problem as a criminal justice issue. I hope Canadian officials will protect their national autonomy and support drug policy reform. The retroactive eye of history may regard them as progressive innovators who took a courageous stand despite international pressure. Christopher Largen, Denton, Texas - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl