Pubdate: Fri, 20 Nov 2015
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2015 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A8
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n653/a02.html

ONE APPROACH TO DRUGS FIGHT

Regarding Jane Bowron's thoughtful column (November 16), there is a
middle ground between drug prohibition and blanket legalisation.
Switzerland's heroin maintenance programme has been shown to reduce
disease, death and crime by providing addicts with standardised doses
in a clinical setting.

The success of the Swiss programme has inspired heroin maintenance
pilot projects in Canada, Germany, Spain, Denmark and the
Netherlands.

Expanding prescription heroin maintenance would deprive organised
crime of a core client base. This would render illegal heroin
trafficking unprofitable and spare future generations addiction.
Cannabis should be taxed and regulated like alcohol, only without the
advertising.

As long as criminals control cannabis distribution, consumers will
come into contact with sellers of hard drugs. Cannabis prohibition is
a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Matt