Pubdate: Sat, 01 Nov 2014
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Simon Prentis

ELECTORATE SHOULD BE GIVEN CHOICE ON DRUGS POLICY

As always, what is missing from the current debate about drugs is any 
discussion about why we take them in the first place. We are rightly 
concerned that everyone, especially our children, should be educated 
about the potential ill-effects of drugs and the possible health 
dangers. But unless we acknowledge that there are legitimate and 
positive reasons why a person might seek to get high, the "war 
against drugs" will not make much progress.

Humans have been using "recreational" drugs for millennia, and for 
most people it is generally a positive experience. There are dangers 
of course - but these are mainly associated with excess use and poor quality.

With alcohol and tobacco - two of the most dangerous substances - we 
have wisely placed legal controls on both use and supply, and the 
Treasury benefits substantially from the taxes that are levied. It's 
about time we learnt to do the same for all other drugs.

Prohibition does not work. Legally or otherwise, people are going to 
continue to take drugs because in the right context they are 
enjoyable and fun. But like any other form of human activity, there 
needs to be accepted limits that are regulated and controlled. The 
unregulated free market does not work for drugs any more than it does 
for finance - or anything else.

Simon Prentis

Cheltenham
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom