KUDOS TO MP

Kudos to MP Keith Martin for tackling drug policy reform. It's long
past time that Canada ignore the demands of drug warriors in the U.S.
and pursue a public health approach.

Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains
constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking.

In terms of addictive drugs like heroin, a temporary rise in street
prices leads desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed
desperate habits. Make no mistake, the drug war doesn't fight crime,
it fuels crime.

With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor producers no longer gun each
other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind drinking
unregulated bathtub gin.

Drug policies designed to protect children have given rise to a
youth-oriented black market.

Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age. As the most popular illicit
drug, marijuana provides the black market contacts that introduce
youth to drugs like heroin.

This "gateway" is the direct result of a fundamentally flawed
policy.

If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms,
alcohol would be illegal and marijuana would not. Unlike alcohol,
which kills thousands annually, marijuana has never been shown to
cause an overdose death.

It makes no sense to waste tax dollars on failed policies that finance
organized crime and needlessly expose children to dangerous drugs.

Replacing marijuana prohibition with adult regulation would
effectively undermine the thriving black market.

Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like
to think the children themselves are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Program Officer,
The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation,
4455 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite B-500,
Washington, DC 20008-2328