Pubdate: Thu, 14 Dec 2000
Source: Australian, The (Australia)
Copyright: News Limited 2000
Contact:  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Author: Alec Piper
Note: Headline by newshawk

NO EVIDENCE FOR EMOTIVE DRUG CLAIMS

IT is indisputable that the present anti-drug program is failing.

Informed discussion of the problem is crucial but must be based on some 
sort of evidence, not on assertion such as that made by Bill Muehlenberg. 
He provided no evidence to support his emotive claim that "legalising dope" 
would "increase the number of drug users".

 From what I have seen, education programs against smoking and unsafe sex 
have been very successful. It appears that the diversion of ineffective law 
enforcement resources to education and a controlled sales program is worth 
a try.

It also appears that those against change come mostly from a narrow, moral 
position that doesn't see the greater moral damage to society produced by 
the present policies.

Alec Piper

Busselton, WA
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens