DRUG LEGALIZATION IS NOT THE SOLUTION IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE

Advocates for legalized drugs make the claim that, since the "war on
drugs" in the U.S. has failed, it is pointless for Canada to follow.
Rather inconveniently, however, there's little evidence to support
their assertions. Most recent figures suggest the opposite.

According to top U.S. drug officials, the country's efforts to
contain the trafficking of illegal narcotics are meeting greater
success than at any time in the past 20 years.

This is due mainly to a $1-billion plan to combat the Mexican drug
cartels, the source of 90 per cent of the cocaine flowing into the U.S.

In the meantime, a recent U.S.-government-financed study finds
overall drug use among teenagers is falling, reflecting a decline in
the popularity of marijuana and methamphetamines.

It would be foolish, though, to declare victory in the American "war
on drugs" -- just as it is premature to declare the battle lost.

But the trend is encouraging.

Supporters of drug legalization, though, see no solution but their
own -- which, they claim, will eliminate the unsavoury thugs who
operate the drug cartels. And that is, indeed, a laudable goal.

With drugs more readily available, however, will there really be
fewer users? And will problems of addiction actually be reduced?
Besides, which currently illicit drugs will be approved for use?
Crystal meth and ecstasy, or just marijuana and opium? Will the
government-approved drugs be any less addictive than those now on the
street? And at what age will it be legal for young people to take
such drugs as heroin and cocaine? Advocates for legalized drugs were
vocal at a forum in Vancouver this week. One of their most prominent
propagandists was former New Jersey officer Jack Cole, founder of Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).

"We need to treat drug addiction as a health problem," Cole said,
adding that LEAP hopes to "at least get the legalization and
regulation of drugs on the agenda." He's right on the first count.
There's a sad lack of treatment facilities for drug addicts, as this
week's Vancouver police report on the mentally ill dramatically
emphasized. But will Cole please explain how legalizing drugs will
improve the recovery chances of addicts? The pro-drug lobby
masquerades as a champion of individual liberties. But behind that
disguise lurks the ugly face of societal decay.

Our choice is clear: We can fight the downward spiral into drug
dependency, or help it along.

You decide.