Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2011
Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2011 The Taber Times
Contact: http://www.tabertimes.com/forms/letterToEditor.php
Website: http://www.tabertimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262

DRUG-POLICY DISCUSSIONS NEEDED IN CANADA

Drug policy in North American countries has been a long-debated topic.

America's War on Drugs, has been taking place for decades, and 
Mexico's war, which has been ramped up, has received plenty of 
headlines across the globe as well.

In Canada, like most things in this country, the battle against drugs 
has taken a lower-key approach, but still has incorporated many of 
the same philosophies of our neighbours to the south.

We might not achieve the same incarceration levels as the USA, which 
boasts 25 per cent of the world's prison population, due in part to 
its stance on illegal drugs, but make not mistake, Canada is indeed 
trying to wage its own war.

There are people on both sides of the fence -- those who believe the 
efforts need to be intensified, and mandatory minimum sentences 
strictly enforced for drug possession, and people like Tamara 
Cartwright, who appears on the front page of The Times this week.

Cartwright contends North America's approach to drug enforcement is 
all wrong, and is pushing for legalization of certain substances. 
That opinion was backed up Monday night on CBC's The National, by 
author and gang expert Michael Chettleburgh, who called Canada's war 
on drugs an utter and complete failure. His comments were related to 
a public downtown gang shooting in Vancouver.

Certainly, there is credence to his point drug prohibition has 
created an underground market for drugs, and the economic incentives 
to deal in these drugs, often through gang affiliations, can be very lucrative.

Canada, and many other countries, have difficult choices to make in 
terms of public policy on the matter in the years to come. After all, 
the court system is clogged with drug cases (just ask the 
Vancouver-area courts, who news reports have revealed will likely 
never be able to prosecute those involved in the city's post-Stanley 
Cup riots due to courtroom congestion).

Arguments for regulation, not prohibition, have also pointed out 
governments could boost their collective coffers through taxes on 
now-illegal drugs, much like alcohol and tobacco, two substances 
which cause their fair share of societal and health-care problems as well.

But coming up with a comprehensive plan to deal with drugs is a 
complex matter, and would involve governments admitting failure on a 
policy issue which has become integral to many a country over the years.

There are serious issues to consider, which include the 
highly-addictive and destructive nature of some drugs, and what drugs 
in the end could be deemed legal, and which others should remain prohibited.

Whatever way our government decides to go, much discussion and 
research is needed.

After all, this problem is not going away.
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