Pubdate: Fri, 23 Oct 2015
Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2015 Journal-Pioneer
Contact:  http://www.journalpioneer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789
Author: Desmond Colohan
Page: A6

CRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE IS NOT WORKING

The "war on drugs" was intended to reduce psychoactive drug use. Its
specific aim was to inhibit and destroy the international illicit drug
trade - making drugs scarcer and costlier, and therefore making drug
habits unaffordable.

The data show just the opposite has occurred. Illicit drugs are more
affordable and more readily available than ever.

Criminologists generally agree that prohibition has had some downward
effect on the supply and use of illicit drugs. The real question is
whether it's been worth the effort, as we are left with a strained
criminal justice system and a proliferation of drug-related violence.
If the drug war has failed to significantly reduce drug production,
use and trafficking then perhaps it doesn't justify the cost.

Alternatives to prohibition might include the decriminalization or
legalization of illicit drugs.

Drug abuse is a major international health problem. About four per
cent of the global burden of disease, as measured in
disability-adjusted life years, is attributable to each of our legal
drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and 0.8 per cent to illicit drugs.

Arguments for legalizing/decriminalizing illicit drug use
include:

- - Legalization takes control away from criminal suppliers by removing
the profit motive. - Violence and murder often accompany drug
trafficking and would be reduced with the legalization of illicit drugs.

- - Tax and other revenues generated by the legal sale of currently
illicit drugs could be used to help fund drug awareness campaigns and
treatment programs for those who might become addicted.

- - The costs of drugs could be significantly lowered, which would help
ease criminal activity, such as theft and prostitution, now paying for
drug abuse and addiction.

- - There would be less need for prison space to house those convicted
for possession and crimes against property.

- - Greater government control would make it more of a challenge for
underage individuals to get their hands on psychoactive substances. -
Addiction and abuse are health problems, not criminal justice issues,
and should be treated as such.

- - Decriminalization would make it more likely that those arrested for
drug possession and use got rehab instead of jail.

- - Decriminalization reduces infectious disease transmission, makes
access to drug rehab easier and more socially acceptable and does not
cause a significant increase in drug abuse or addiction rates [Portugal].

Arguments against legalizing/decriminalizing illicit drug use
include:

- - Those who have only used marijuana may expand their drug use to
include more highly addictive drugs.

- - There will be an increase in impaired driving if psychoactive drugs
become more readily available.

- - It may be easier for children to obtain psychoactive and
potentially-addictive drugs, especially if their parents abuse drugs.

- - Greater availability of psychoactive drugs may lead to increased
domestic violence, more home accidents and increased psychotic
behaviors in people with underlying mental illnesses.

- - It would be difficult to regulate illicit drugs and keep them out of
the wrong hands. It would also create additional temptation for people
who face addiction challenges.

- - It is just plain immoral for us to tacitly condone abusive and
addictive behaviours.

- - Addiction and abuse involve personal choices and people should be
held accountable for their misbehaviours.

Criminalization of drug use is not working. There must be a better way
to manage our very serious problem of drug abuse and addiction. Should
we treat heroin, marijuana, cocaine or amphetamines as we do alcohol
and tobacco? Talk about it.

Make this an issue.

Desmond Colohan is a P.E.I. physician with a keen interest in 
responsible and effective social policy.
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MAP posted-by: Matt