Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jul 2014
Source: Truro Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: 2014 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.trurodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1159
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: 7
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n589/a06.html

ELIMINATING ILLICIT DRUG PENALTIES COULD SAVE LIVES

Re: Witness of drug overdose fearful to contact emergency services, 
by Kayla Follett, Page 8, Truro Daily News, July 16, 2014

To the editor,

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 easily preventable deaths.

Rehabilitation also is confounded. I think it's safe to say 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, Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D. C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom