Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jan 2015
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Emile Therien
Page: 10
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

DRUG WAR

Re: "Gunning for solutions," Jan. 2.

The drug trade is perpetuating this violence and cruelty that is 
simply mind-boggling and unprecedented. The futile war on drugs 
simply cannot be won. Why we continue to defy and ignore more than 
100 years of failed prohibition is simply mind-boggling, 
counter-productive, and irresponsible. Prohibition, as history shows, 
whether it be for alcohol or illegal drugs fuels violent crime, 
including the lucrative gun trade. It's easily argued with certainty 
that law enforcement, in and by itself, simply does not, nor has ever 
reduced or dried up the supply of illegal drugs. Illicit drugs have 
been with us forever and will be with us long into the future. The 
so-called war on drugs, at an outrageous economic, social and human 
cost in this country and the world over, will simply not stop the 
demand for and use of illegal drugs. Often overlooked is the fact 
that the lucrative drug trade distorts economic realities in 
countries the world over. It is easily argued that the financial 
benefits of legalizing illicit drugs are huge. It is now, as experts 
argue, time to retreat on the war on drugs. Ending it is the moral 
and politically correct thing to do. I agree that with defence lawyer 
Michael Spratt's that "doubling down 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

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Legalizing drugs isn't the answer.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom