DRUG LAWS ARE NOT WORKING

March 25 is the 40th anniversary of the signing of the UN Single Convention
on Narcotic Drugs 1961. Article 2,5 urges the prohibition of cannabis and
heroin.

Prohibited drugs are available in prisons throughout the world. Prison
authorities control all entries and departures and can exercise continuous
surveillance over inmates. If they are unable to prevent distribution and
use of prohibited drugs, what hope is there of imposing Article 2,5 over a
country at large?

The US employs some 7700 border guards on its border with Mexico with the
duty of excluding illegal immigrants and illicit drugs. Some seven tonnes
of illicit drugs make that crossing each day. Further quantities cross the
longer Canadian border with only 300 guards, and yet more enter through sea
and air ports.

The US authored the UN Single Convention and is itself quite unable to
enforce the Controlled Substances Act which brings the intent of Article
2,5 within its statute book.

Prohibitory laws have made illegal drugs the most profitable substances to
sell by giving them the highest markups on earth. As a direct result of
these laws illicit drugs have become the second or third biggest market in
the world.

We have allowed our laws to be brought into contempt by this impossible
Convention for 40 long years. Enough is enough.

PETER WATNEY, Holt