One of the biggest challenges to overcome in the fight against drugs is the
education of the general public as to what drugs are. For many
well-intentioned people "drugs" are a small group of substances - cannabis,
cocaine, heroin, LSD etc - which are sold in dodgy bars and consumed by
criminals. Valium, morphine and antidepressants are, on the other hand,
useful "medicines", whereas alcohol and tobacco are acceptable social
pleasures.

This leads to a situation where valium-addicted patients, alcoholism,
alcohol-induced violence and the millions of smokers who die prematurely
each year are considered to be a normal part of society, whereas millions
of responsible, recreational cannabis users are categorised as criminals.
The vast majority of people who are against the legalisation of cannabis
probably have no idea what it is or what it does. Its effects are
generally no more dangerous than alcohol and, in some cases, are probably
socially more acceptable. I cannot imagine brawling in the streets being a
problem at closing time were people in bars to smoke a few joints instead
of drinking five or more litres of beer.

Some drugs are too potent to be legalised since their effects leave the
majority of users incapable of controlling their habit, but if we can live
with alcohol being legal, then we can live with cannabis as well (and I
speak as an impartial non-user.)

All drugs, including tobacco, alcohol and prescription drugs, can be
dangerous. What is important is the education of drug-users and critics to
try and set a common goal - namely fighting drug abuse instead of fighting
drugs.

Mark Hannah
Bad Fischau-Brunn
Austria