Pubdate: Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Source: Santiago Times, The (Chile)
Copyright: 2012 The Santiago Times
Contact: (56-2) 7775376
Website: http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4946
Author: Miles Coleman

CHILEAN PRESIDENT SIGNS DRUG PREVENTION LAW INTO EFFECT

President Breaks Silence Amid Drug Decriminalization Debate, Likening 
Drugs to 'Death.'

President Sebastian Pinera signed the new Drug and Alcohol Prevention 
Act into law on Monday, which sets up an educational program to warn 
schoolchildren against the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The 
president took the opportunity to break his silence over the renewed 
debate over drug decriminalization, taking a decidedly 
anti-decriminalization stance.

"At a time when some are promoting the legalization of drugs, this 
administration is committed to fighting against it, not only for 
children but also the entire population," Pinera told reporters.

"Drugs rob us of our freedom to act as free and responsible human 
beings," he added, directing his remarks to a group of Chilean 
schoolchildren present at the signing.

Under the recent proposal by senators Ricardo Lagos Weber and Fulvio 
Rossi, growing and consuming marijuana for personal use would be 
decriminalized in Chile.

The bill has been criticized by Chile's political right, but until 
Monday afternoon Pinera had been silent over the growing controversy.

Pinera also pledged to triple the capacity of rehabilitation centers 
nationwide and to make sure all convicted drug traffickers got the 
punishment "they deserve."

According to a 2009 study by SENDA, Chile's drug and alcohol service, 
26 percent of Chileans aged 12 to 64 and 16.4 percent of Chilean aged 
12 to 18 have tried cannabis at some point in their lives.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom