Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2007
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1166/a05.html
Author: Emile Therien

DOOMED STRATEGY

Re: Harmful impressions, Oct. 10

The federal government's proposed drug strategy simply will not work. 
It smacks of a strategy driven by hype, emotion and political 
expediency. It will do nothing to reduce the use of drugs in this country.

Can we not learn something from our southern neighbours about a 
failed drug strategy, a strategy that dates back to the 1970s? Or are 
we slow learners -- or simply don't care! The most punitive, 
draconian drug laws in the western world have not stopped the flow 
into and the use of drugs in the U.S. "Say no to drugs!" -- what a joke.

It's about time we start treating drug addiction for what it is, 
namely a public-health problem.

Costly incarceration and political grandstanding have never and will 
never work.

Emile Therien,

Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart