DRUG POLICIES NEED REVIEW

It's fashionable to say the war on drugs has been a big bust, a colossal
waste of money that breeds far more crime than it eradicates.

Drugs are everywhere and available to almost anyone, despite the efforts of
cops, courts, judges and prison wardens. The worldwide trade in illegal
drugs is estimated at $800 billion, equivalent to eight per cent of all
international trade.

The prohibition of drugs, the argument goes, has created an enormously
powerful and ruthless criminal class. Given the strong demand for drugs,
from marijuana to cocaine to heroin, the only way seen by some to break the
power of the criminal gangs that control the trade is to move toward
legalization.

In Canada, a Senate committee has been set up to look at legalizing
marijuana. Tory Senator Pierre Claud-Nolin who urged the creation of the
committee, says a more conciliatory approach is needed. "When you prohibit
the use of drugs, you only perpetuate the black market."

More than 60 per cent of British Columbians favour decriminalization of
marijuana and the Canadian Association of Police also says simple
possession for personal use should be taken out of the Criminal Code.

On the other side of the debate are those who argue that marijuana is not
harmful because it is illegal, it is illegal because it is harmful.

They cite studies which show that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana
can be damaging, in a time and dose-related fashion, to brain functions
affecting memory and co-ordination. They also raise questions about the
long-term impact of THC on the heart, lung, kidney and reproductive system.

Marijuana smoke may ultimately prove to be as damaging to health as
cigarette smoke, advocates of its continued prohibition say. To them,
there is considerable irony that many who campaign for pot's
decriminalization also favour stricter measures against the production,
distribution and consumption of tobacco.

The only way for average people to judge the veracity of the contradictory
views of the decriminalization and prohibition camps would be if a real,
thorough and engaging public debate were held.

Unfortunately, Ottawa has shown no interest in presiding over such a
discussion, leaving the issue in the relatively obscure hands of the
senators. Perhaps the federal government is worried about offending the
U.S., which continues to pursue a zero tolerance policy toward drug use.

But the stakes are high enough - in terms of dollars spent, crime committed
and health questions - that Canadians deserve to have a review of our own
drug policies, regardless of the views held in Washington.