THE LIBERALS ARE CONFUSED ON DRUGS

There is no statistical evidence that harm reduction programs have
reduced the rate of HIV or Hepatitis C infections. And police records
and urban blight suggest that these programs are ineffective.

Those who want to help drug addicts should take a lesson from
antismoking lobbyists. The use of tobacco, a legal albeit harmful
product, has decreased dramatically through legal and peer pressure
strategies and tactics. No such pressure is exerted to curb the use of
illegal substances. Official tolerance of their abuse is hailed as
"progressive," despite the fact that the German and Swiss experiences
have discredited the harm reduction approach.

It is time to have a serious discussion about decriminalizing the use
and distribution of illegal substances. The current muddled policy is
an insult to the intelligence of the vast majority of Canadians -- as
is allocating taxpayer money for nurses to prevent overdoses instead
of changing diapers at nursing homes.

Eva Curlanis-Bart,

president, The Garden District Residents Association,

Toronto