CANADA SHOULD LEARN SOMETHING FROM AMERICANS' FAILED DRUG STRATEGY

National Public Radio reported on March 28 that New York State
Governor David Paterson unveiled a landmark deal on March 27 that
would scrap most of his state's, so-called "Rockefeller" drug laws.
The system of mandatory prison sentences has been criticized as
unfair, harsh, and too expensive ever since they were promoted by
Republican Governor Nelson Rockefeller as part of the
get-tough-on-crime movement that swept the United States in the 1970s.

If the answer to the crime problem, however defined, is putting
people in jail, albeit a very expensive form of housing, the U.S.
would be the safest country in the world. This U.S. jailing
experience, now with far more than two million of its citizens in
jail, which preys on the socially, culturally, and economically
disadvantaged, and fuelled by political expediency, political
ideology, political grandstanding, racism, media hype, emotion and a
failed drug strategy clearly demonstrates that putting and keeping
people behind bars won't deter or eliminate criminal behaviour.
Tougher sentences and more and bigger jails simply do not prevent crime.

The nefarious consequences of America's failed war on drugs permeates
every facet of life in that country: health care, education, the
economy. Can we not learn something from our southern neighbour about
a failed drug strategy. Or are we slow learners or simply don't care.
Do we really want to mimic this U.S. experience? On his next trip to
the U.S., Prime Minister Stephen Harper should visit Gov. Paterson
and get the facts first-hand.

Emile Therien,

Ottawa, Ont.