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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom