DRUGS: THE TRUE DEBATE

The report about the "problems caused by drugs harm", revealed in our
editions of June 17 had to be mark with a white stone. For the first time
in France, this debate with high ideologic gravity will be able to begin on
bases as objective as the current state of the progresses of science allows
it. We argue, at last, on the pharmacology of the substances and not on the
preconceived views, social, cultural and policies they convey.

This new approach, which allows particularly to put in perspective the real
harm of alcohol and cannabis, clarifies the incoherences of the current,
medical and repressive legislative system fighting against the consumption
of drug. It underlines has which point the distinction which is made
between licit and illicit drugs does not rest on scientific bases. How can
anyone reasonably maintain that it is legal to consume the quantity of
alcohol which one wishes and that it is forbidden to smoke cannabis, even
few grams?

But pharmacology cannot, alone, summarize the whole problems linked to the
consumption of drugs. The harm of a product also holds has the way in which
it is introduced in the body : from this point of view, the injection
remains the mode of the most dangerous administration. It is also important
to take account of the economic and sociocultural context. What of commun
run between the adult ease and socially which smokes a " spliff " or
"sniffe" cocaine and a young person marginalise which seeks for any price
to consume crack ?

In his report, Bernard-Pierre Roques recalls the ethical principle states
by Spinoza: " the effort to preserve itself is the first and single base of
the virtue". To be exerted, this vital force must be based on a
satisfaction to be. However, recalls the report, "the fast development of
the industrial companies broke balance, lauding as virtue individualism and
the performance like obligatory passport of the social recognition". How to
be astonished, consequently, that amplifying the social, family and school
situations conflict, more disabled people psychologically loses the regard
of themselves? Shouldn't the debate be reconsidered on this point by being
appropriate that it is on such a ground that could prosperer the providers
and the drug traffickers?

Politically symbolic system, the question of the depenalisation of the
consumption of the "soft drugs" is additional from the point of view of the
public health. Otherwise more frightening for the public authorities is to
know how to fight effectively against polyaddictions and these evils
endemic which are alcoholism and the nicotinism while taking care to
distinguish between a "recreative" use, even cultural being the wine, and
the abuse which generates states of dependance. Despite it would dislike
the lobbies which will appear without delay, it is an essential debate.

Checked-by: Richard Lake