RECREATIONAL DRUGS SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

In a recent editorial, The Citizen discussed recreational drug use. I would
like to take a contrary position and attempt to make a case for legalizing
all recreational drugs, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, crystal meth etc.

I do not question the harm that recreational drugs can cause, including the
lack of motivation that often accompanies chronic marijuana use. My point
is simply that criminalizing recreational drug use has not worked in the
past 70 or so years that it has been tried. Recreational drug use has
dramatically increased during this same period. In addition, criminalizing
recreational drug use has created a large and hugely profitable industry
which provides these drugs. Much crime is commited to finance users' habits.

Society does not criminalize alcohol consumption. Previous attempts to do
so resulted in widespread disregard for the law and generated criminal
empires. And these attempts did not work. Smokers are not criminals and the
government aggressively promotes gambling. Both activities are widely
accepted to be harmful and addicting. What about gasoline, hairspray and
glue? All are used to "get high."

What is the downside of legalizing recreational drugs?

- -- Would recreational drug use increase? If so, where is the evidence for
this? The Netherlands seems to be doing OK.

- -- Would drug-related crime increase as the RCMP would have us believe?
Logic dictates the opposite.

- -- The U.S. would punish Canada for legalizing recreational drugs. I think
this is quite likely, but I think also that the U.S. would get over it.

- -- Society would be "sending the wrong message." Fair enough, but what
about alcohol, cigarettes and gambling? Maybe the right message is that the
world is full of potentially harmful things and that personal choice and
accountability are ultimately unavoidable.

What are the advantages of legalizing recreational drugs?

- -- Trafficking would cease to be profitable and would vanish.

- -- Drug-related crime would decrease as users needed less money to finance
their drug purchases.

- -- Law-enforcement costs would fall significantly -- $370 million is spent
annually in Canada for drug enforcement with much more spent on
investigating crimes related to drug use.

- -- Court and prison costs would fall with fewer cases and fewer prisoners.

- -- Drug overdoses would become less frequent as drug strengths were
standardized.

- -- If other western governments, notably the U.S., also legalized
recreational drugs, drug-producing and transporting countries would become
much easier to govern and much of the funding for world terrorism would end.

What should we do?

- -- Legalize all recreational drugs and make them available at low cost
through government licensed outlets. Screen for underage customers. Most
recreational drugs are extremely cheap to produce.

- -- Continue to make drug rehab programs available to those who want them.

- -- Take a serious, evidence-based look at the factors that lead to
recreational drug use. Determine cause rather than association (i.e. All
heroin users used to drink milk. Does drinking milk lead to heroin use? Of
course not).

- -- Lobby other countries to legalize recreational drugs. The greatest
benefits will result from widespread legalization.

- -- Accept that there will always be some people bent on self destruction in
one way or another and that you cannot help someone who does not want to be
helped.

Dr. Cook is a family physician in Prince George.