Pubdate: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 Source: Dallas Morning News (TX) Copyright: 2008 The Dallas Morning News, Inc. Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/lettertoed.cgi Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n694/a07.html Author: Robert Sharpe POLITICS OF ZERO TOLERANCE Re: "War on drugs undermines the safety of our children - Substances need to be decriminalized, controlled, says Joy Strickland," Friday Viewpoints. Zero tolerance is part of the problem. Illegal drug users are often 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 war enforcement results in easily preventable deaths. Also, 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 use would encourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and save lives. Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom