Pubdate: Sun, 11 Aug 2013
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jodie Emery
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n391/a06.html
Page: A29

EXECUTING DRUG USERS IS CERTAINLY NO SOLUTION

It's bizarre that Province letter writer Leslie Benisz mourns the
death of a young person by calling for the death of more people.

Benisz's letter condemned illegal drugs, then expressed admiration for
countries that execute people for those drugs - places where, despite
that murderous practice, drugs still exist. But how can someone bemoan
that illegal drugs are bad because they kill people, therefore we
should kill people for illegal drugs?

If Benisz really wants to start executing people who sell drugs that
cause death, why not campaign to kill everyone employed in the liquor,
tobacco and pharmaceutical industries - as well as peanut butter,
caffeine, sugar, cars, bikes, swimming pools, sporting equipment,
etc., since those have all caused death and continue to do so every
day?

But, of course, we wouldn't arrest or execute people for creating,
selling or using those products. Even if something can be dangerous or
deadly, we know that making it illegal does not make it safer.

The only way to reduce harm from any potentially harmful activity or
product is to ensure it is legal, so it isn't controlled by the
criminal underworld - and to use honest education and information to
encourage responsible, safe use. Executing people for illegal drugs
doesn't save lives, it ends lives.

Jodie Emery, Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Matt