Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2012
Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Chilliwack Times
Contact:  http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357
Author: Randy Marsh

MONEY IS WASTED ON FIGHTING A DRUG WAR

Editor:

During his Summit of Americas speech Stephen Harper clearly stated 
that the current drug policy is not working.

He then admitted that he does not know what could work. Meanwhile, 
his party pushes for drug policy modeled in the direction of the most 
criticized and failed policy in the world.

The Conservatives also tried hard to shut down the only proven 
Canadian harm reduction program, InSite.

In the Supreme Court, the Conservatives lost to the clear benefits of 
helping addicts get better instead of punishing them.

Sadly, the millions of tax dollars spent trying to shut down InSite 
could have been saved, if only the Conservatives first considered the 
robust evidence.

The wasted dollars on a lost drug war should be reason enough for 
Conservatives ears to open when the world is asking for a mature 
debate on how to reduce drug-related crime. Instead, Stephen Harper 
stands in front of the world and tells them he does not know what to 
do-a clear indication that the Conservatives aren't yet qualified to 
be changing the current laws.

Randy Marsh

Chilliwack
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom