Pubdate: Wed, 30 Mar 2005
Source: St. Albert Gazette (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 St. Albert Gazette
Contact:  http://www.stalbertgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2919
Author: Klaus Kaczor

DRUG PROHIBITION CREATES MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES

If Canadians continue to define the drug problem in terms of good and
evil and refuse to search for a rational approach, we will suffer
irreversible social trauma.

We must ask ourselves if drug use is part of the normal range of human
experience. Only then can we deal separately with abuse as a health
issue.

Canadians with an enlightened perspective quickly see that by
abdicating control of substances in favour of "prohibition," serious
social disaster is inevitable. Drug prices rise and property crime
follows suit. Prohibition defeats control.

Now is the time for rational action. Alcohol prohibition's corrective
lessons can no longer be ignored. We must de-link the independent
human spirit's rebellious battle with authoritarianism from drugs. How
wise can it be to continue swelling the ranks of criminals with
recruits from the potentially vital citizens of the future?

Klaus Kaczor

Vancouver
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