PREVENT DRUG DEATHS

Regarding "Teen liable in friends' drug death," Aug. 1: The
prosecution of a 16-year-old boy accused of second-degree murder in
the overdose death of Erica Hicks reaffirms an already bad precedent.
Illegal drug users are reluctant to seek medical attention in the
event of an overdose for fear of being charged with a crime.
Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a murder
charge. Overzealous drug enforcement results in easily preventable
deaths.

Rehabilitation also is confounded. It's safe to say that turnout at
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would be rather low if alcoholism were a
crime pursued with zero tolerance zeal. Eliminating the penalties
associated with illicit drug abuse would encourage the type of honest
discussion necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and save lives.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington