Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2006 Source: News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) Copyright: 2006 The News and Observer Publishing Company Contact: http://www.newsobserver.com/484/story/433256.html Website: http://www.news-observer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1006/a03.html Author: Robert Sharpe PREVENT DRUG DEATHS Regarding "Teen liable in friends' drug death," Aug. 1: The prosecution of a 16-year-old boy accused of second-degree murder in the overdose death of Erica Hicks reaffirms an already bad precedent. Illegal drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the event of an overdose for fear of being charged with a crime. Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a murder charge. Overzealous drug enforcement results in easily preventable deaths. Rehabilitation also is confounded. It's safe to say that turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal. Eliminating the penalties associated with illicit drug abuse would encourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and save lives. Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake