"LEGALIZING DRUGS IS WRONG"

According to Barry R. McCaffrey, the director of the Office of National Drug
Control Policy, the legalization of drugs under the theory of harm reduction
would actually do more damage than good. In a commentary in the Miami
Herald, McCaffrey states that the legalization of marijuana, cocaine, and
heroin will not serve to reduce harmful risks taken by drug users. While
harm reduction also includes other methods of prevention and control, such
as the institution of needle exchange, heroin maintenance, and
decriminalization, McCaffrey argues that the real design of many harm
reduction advocates is flat-out legalization. He questions why anyone would
want the legalization of heroin when addicts can be maintained on oral
methadone, thereby eliminating injecting practices and reducing addicts'
risk of contracting or spreading HIV. He also asserts that the legalization
of marijuana in the Netherlands led to increased use of the drug. McCaffrey
concludes that "pretending that harmful activity will be reduced if we
condone it under the law is foolhardy and irresponsible."

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst