HTTP/1.0 200 OK Content-Type: text/html Recreational Drugs Should Be Legalized
Pubdate: Sat, 03 Mar 2007
Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Prince George Citizen
Contact:  http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350
Author: Laurie Cook, MD Special To The Citizen
Note: Dr. Cook is a family physician in Prince George.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n154/a06.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

RECREATIONAL DRUGS SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

In a recent editorial, The Citizen discussed recreational drug use. I would 
like to take a contrary position and attempt to make a case for legalizing 
all recreational drugs, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, crystal meth etc.

I do not question the harm that recreational drugs can cause, including the 
lack of motivation that often accompanies chronic marijuana use. My point 
is simply that criminalizing recreational drug use has not worked in the 
past 70 or so years that it has been tried. Recreational drug use has 
dramatically increased during this same period. In addition, criminalizing 
recreational drug use has created a large and hugely profitable industry 
which provides these drugs. Much crime is commited to finance users' habits.

Society does not criminalize alcohol consumption. Previous attempts to do 
so resulted in widespread disregard for the law and generated criminal 
empires. And these attempts did not work. Smokers are not criminals and the 
government aggressively promotes gambling. Both activities are widely 
accepted to be harmful and addicting. What about gasoline, hairspray and 
glue? All are used to "get high."

What is the downside of legalizing recreational drugs?

- -- Would recreational drug use increase? If so, where is the evidence for 
this? The Netherlands seems to be doing OK.

- -- Would drug-related crime increase as the RCMP would have us believe? 
Logic dictates the opposite.

- -- The U.S. would punish Canada for legalizing recreational drugs. I think 
this is quite likely, but I think also that the U.S. would get over it.

- -- Society would be "sending the wrong message." Fair enough, but what 
about alcohol, cigarettes and gambling? Maybe the right message is that the 
world is full of potentially harmful things and that personal choice and 
accountability are ultimately unavoidable.

What are the advantages of legalizing recreational drugs?

- -- Trafficking would cease to be profitable and would vanish.

- -- Drug-related crime would decrease as users needed less money to finance 
their drug purchases.

- -- Law-enforcement costs would fall significantly -- $370 million is spent 
annually in Canada for drug enforcement with much more spent on 
investigating crimes related to drug use.

- -- Court and prison costs would fall with fewer cases and fewer prisoners.

- -- Drug overdoses would become less frequent as drug strengths were 
standardized.

- -- If other western governments, notably the U.S., also legalized 
recreational drugs, drug-producing and transporting countries would become 
much easier to govern and much of the funding for world terrorism would end.

What should we do?

- -- Legalize all recreational drugs and make them available at low cost 
through government licensed outlets. Screen for underage customers. Most 
recreational drugs are extremely cheap to produce.

- -- Continue to make drug rehab programs available to those who want them.

- -- Take a serious, evidence-based look at the factors that lead to 
recreational drug use. Determine cause rather than association (i.e. All 
heroin users used to drink milk. Does drinking milk lead to heroin use? Of 
course not).

- -- Lobby other countries to legalize recreational drugs. The greatest 
benefits will result from widespread legalization.

- -- Accept that there will always be some people bent on self destruction in 
one way or another and that you cannot help someone who does not want to be 
helped.

Dr. Cook is a family physician in Prince George.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D