Pubdate: Fri, 09 Sep 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Kathy Couch
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1450/a01.html?113447
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

DRUG SAFETY -- REGULATION OR RIGID PROHIBITION?

I cried when I read about 13-year-old Mercedes-Rae Clarke, who died, 
presumably, from adulterated drugs bought on the street.

We should be angry at those who sold the drug to her.

We should also be angry at our government for refusing to regulate these drugs.

Had Mercedes bought a sealed beer from a government-regulated liquor 
industry she'd be pretty sure of what she was getting.

Had she bought an ecstasy pill from a government-regulated source she'd 
also be pretty sure of what she was getting.

No 13-year-old should be taking these drugs, but at least she would be alive.

That is why we need to embrace harm reduction and legalize and regulate the 
production and sale of these drugs.

The illegal drug industry is currently controlled by criminals, and you're 
never sure of what you're getting.

We'll never be able to stop all our children from taking drugs, but we can 
ensure that whatever they experiment with won't kill them.

Kathy Couch,

Nelson
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom