CALL FOR CHANGE

I want to applaud the excellent series of articles "Losing the war on
Drugs" by Dan Gardner. In your Sept. 18 editorial ("Do the right thing")
you ask whether MPs "will take the easy path of the status quo" on drug
policy. I for one, certainly hope not.

The devastation in my own riding of Vancouver east, particularly the
Downtown Eastside, resulting from the War on Drugs has caused me to
fundamentally question the status quo and call for drastic change in both
our attitudes and legislative measures.

The war on Drugs has primarily been a war on poor people with alarmingly
high social and economic costs. In representing the dire straits of my
constituents in Parliament I have consistently called for federal
leadership on this issue.

After numerous expert reports calling for a comprehensive health-based
approach to drug policy, the minister of health must take decisive action
for decriminalization, heroin maintenance, and comprehensive harm-reduction
measures.

Along with growing numbers of people, I am convinced that this is the only
way to save lives, decrease crime, and rebuild our communities. I believe
the minister of health would have broad support if he did "what's right"
rather than follow the easy path.

Thanks once again, for the thoughtful and rational analysis provided on
this complex issue.

Libby Davies, MP, Vancouver East