Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jan 2018
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2018 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Emile Therien
Page: A9

TREAT DRUG USE AS HEALTH PROBLEM

Re: Here's why it's time to legalize all drugs, Jan. 10

An insignificant number of Canadians use illicit drugs. Less than four
per cent use them and less than two per cent have a problem resulting
from hard drug use, notably, heroin and cocaine. The consequences,
which can include death and overdosing, place a heavy social and
economic burden on society.

Let's start by understanding what motivates people, and especially the
young, to use drugs. Programs that address the reasons for the
behaviour are far more likely to work.

That said, it is about time we start treating drug use and drug
addiction for what it is: a public health problem, with the priorities
being treatment, rehabilitation and harm reduction.

I agree with Tyler Dawson that all drugs should be decriminalized, not
unlike alcohol and tobacco. Think of the revenues that would flow to
governments from this!

It has been estimated these revenues total more than $2 billion a
year, most of which now flies in the pockets of criminals and
organized crime.

Emile Therien, public health and safety advocate, Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Matt