Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jul 2015
Source: Portland Mercury (OR)
Copyright: 2015 The Portland Mercury
Contact:  http://www.portlandmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1174
Author: Todd Thomas, Who, Okay, is a Heroin Addict

LET'S LEGALIZE HEROIN NOW, OKAY?

Friends, it truly is a wondrous time in which we live-and the last 
few weeks are proof! The racist relic that is the Confederate flag 
has been torn down across the land, the Supreme Court has finally 
recognized same-sex marriage as a basic human right, and, at long 
last, Oregon has brought about a new age of enlightenment and freedom 
by legalizing cannabis.

But our fight is not yet over. Not while so many Americans still 
demonize the joy of so many people's lives: sweet, sweet heroin.

Now, before you automatically dismiss the idea of decriminalizing 
recreational heroin, open your mind for a moment. First of all, 
heroin has medicinal value. Just like cannabis, right? This is an 
indisputable FACT-and, unlike marijuana, heroin was created with 
medicinal value in mind!

Imagine your grandmother. Isn't she kind and lovely? Oh no! She's 
fallen down the stairs! "Grandma, grandma!" you cry. "Are you all 
right?" "No, I am not, grandson. I have broken my hip. I am in 
excruciating pain, and need some heroin to soothe me." "Oh, I am 
sorry, grandmother-but because of this nation's stringent, outdated 
anti-heroin laws, I cannot soothe you!" "That is terrible news, 
grandson. Perhaps the public will learn to correct the mistakes of 
the past-if not in my lifetime, perhaps in yours. And now? I die."

Congratulations, America. You just murdered your grandma.

It didn't have to end this way. But every day we do not pass 
thoughtful, forward-thinking heroin legislation will end exactly the 
same way-with the broken, twisted body of a sweet grandmother, 
sprawled at the bottom of a staircase in a spreading pool of blood.

That's why we cannot rest on our laurels, people! For the sake of all 
grandmothers, we must push the unthinking, regressive hatred of 
heroin into the past, along with its antiquated siblings racism, 
homophobia, and America's failed war on drugs.

So if you BELIEVE in the future-if you BELIEVE in progress-then rise 
up! Proclaim that belief from the mountaintops! LET US LEGALIZE 
RECREATIONAL HEROIN! For you! For the children! And most importantly, for Nana!

Also, if anyone has a hook-up for some fine China White, jesus 
fucking christ, please let me fucking know A-S-A-fucking-P.

[Full disclosure: Todd Thomas, the author of this editorial, is a 
big-time heroin addict, and his views do not necessarily reflect 
those of the Portland Mercury.]
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom