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