Pubdate: Sun, 25 Aug 2013
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2013 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n413/a04.html

DRUG 'WAR' PART OF THE PROBLEM

Regarding Leonard Pitts' "Maybe nation is ready to end 'war'" 
(Commentary, Aug. 16): The drug war is part of the problem. Illegal 
drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the event of an 
overdose for fear of being charged with a crime. Attempting to save 
the life of a friend could result in a murder charge. Overzealous 
drug war enforcement results in preventable deaths. Rehabilitation 
also is confounded. I think it's safe to say that turnout at 
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if alcoholism were 
a crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal. Eliminating the penalties 
associated with illicit drug use would encourage the type of honest 
discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and save lives.

Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Va.

Sharpe is a policy analyst at Common Sense for Drug Policy, in Washington, D.C.
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