Pubdate: Sat, 20 Aug 2005
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2005 The Salt Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383
Author: Michael Westley

ROCKY CALLS WAR ON DRUGS 'A DISASTER'

The war on drugs has been an "absolute unmitigated failure - a disaster in
this country." Strong words spoken by Salt Lake City's Mayor Rocky Anderson
during a panel discussion Friday night at the Harm Reduction Conference. In
the two hours following Anderson's opening remarks, civic and community
leaders from around the country echoed his sentiments, calling for greater
outreach, education and prevention for drug abuse. "We want to prevent, when
we can, the abuse of all substances and for those who choose to use, reduce
the harm," Anderson said. The second part of his quote, the notion which, in
some form, accepts drug use and looks to minimize its risks, is what the
Harm Reduction Conference is all about.

The first annual conference, held at the Salt Lake City Marriott on Friday
and today, focuses on methamphetamine, HIV and hepatitis. Among those on the
panel were Dave Purchase, of the North American Syringe Exchange Network,
whose civic involvement in Seattle brought about the first needle exchange
program in the United States, and Dave Nadalmann, of the Drug Policy
Alliance, who advocates more practical approaches to drug reform.

"Most of the information we hear about drugs comes from people who got in
trouble with them," Purchase said. Those who use drugs recreationally and
manage healthy and successful lives don't register on the scale of public
perception, "and that forms our opinions as well."

Many of the panelists fought to correct misconceptions born in the 20-year
campaign against drug abuse. "There is no such thing as a meth baby or a
crack baby," said Karen Buchi of the University of Utah. "These are
drug-impacted children." To see pictures of children labeled as meth babies
is terribly unfair, she said.

Judge Dennis Fuchs, of Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court, upheld the need
for sentencing that allows the time for proper treatment, and Salt Lake City
prosecutor Sim Gill said the success of drug treatment depends on users
gaining access to immediate, individual attention. Others on the panel
included Judge Arthur Bennett, Patrick Fleming, Deborah Small, Corinne Carey
and Steve Jenison. 
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