Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jul 2013
Source: the Local (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Local - Powered by Aberdeen Publishing
Contact:  http://www.thelocalweekly.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5464
Note: Published Thursdays
Authors: Judith and Paul Renaud

FEDS INVENT THE FACTS

Re: "Cory Monteith loved by many", July 18, 2013

Cory Monteith died of a combination of alcohol and a heroin overdose. 
Known to many people for his role in Glee, he will now play a vital 
role in a real life drama by helping illustrate that 'evidenced 
based' drug policies and the 'legalize-then-prescribe' approach to 
drug use/abuse issues can and should be implemented to help save 
lives. Sadly our federal politicians have refused to place the issue 
of drug use and drug addiction within a health and wellness 
perspective and have chosen instead to ignore science based and harm 
reduction approaches by continuing to embrace failed drug prohibition.

The Omnibus Bill, with its tough-on-crime agenda, passed this year 
introducing mandatory minimum sentencing and employed ideology over 
ideas, coercion over compassion and punishment over rehabilitation. 
The federal government continues to invent the facts to justify 
failed drug policies rather than creating drug policies based on the facts.

The fact is, by keeping some drugs illegal, lawmakers are ensuring 
that drug dealers decide the level of purity and the size of the 
dose. Drug addicts will continue to suffer the consequences of this 
failed approach. The tragedy is our current federal government seems 
to think drug addicts are expendable, using them like pawns to 
further a failed drug program.

Judith and Paul Renaud, Educators for Sensible, Drug Policy, Gibsons
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