Pubdate: Sat, 01 Oct 2016
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Emile Therien
Page: B6

THE WAR ON DRUGS CAN'T BE WON WITH OLD TACTICS

The drug trade is perpetuating violence and cruelty that is
mind-boggling and unprecedented. The futile war on drugs simply cannot
be won. Continuing to defy and ignore more than 100 years of failed
prohibition is counter-productive and irresponsible.

Prohibition, as history shows, whether it be for alcohol or illegal
drugs, fuels violent crime. Law enforcement simply does not, nor has
it ever, reduced or dried up the supply of illegal drugs.

Reducing the amount of illegal drugs in any community only increases
the violence ... the lesser the amount, the greater the fight among
drug gangs to control the remaining supply. Drug lords are not dumb;
it's simple economics.

The financial benefits of legalizing illicit drugs are huge. This is
not to suggest that legalizing illegal drugs would be problem-free.
That said, it is now time to deprive drug lords, organized crime and
narco-states of the huge, tax-free profits realized for illicit drug
use.

When dealing with gang violence, focusing on failed solutions does not
and has never worked. What we need is a strategy that focuses on crime
prevention through social development.

Who is up to this challenge?

Emile Therien, Public Health and Safety Advocate, Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Matt