MEXICAN DRUG POLICY EXPLAINED

Re: Going Their Own Way, Colby Cosh, Aug. 28.

Colby Cosh states that the United States is turning a blind eye as its
"partner" states quietly decriminalize illicit drugs.

It is important to clarify:

With the new drug-use law in Mexico, offenders caught a third time
with a small amount of drugs face prosecution, as do those caught near
school zones. Therefore, there is no "decriminalization."

The passing of the bill through Mexican Congress was fully
transparent. This bill, now enacted into law, promotes treatment
rather than prison for those caught with small amounts of drugs, and
also gives state and local authorities a greater role in prosecuting
drug crimes.

As Mr. Cosh stated, the idea is to cut into demand by treating
addicts as potential treatment clients rather than criminals, to fight
corruption among the police and to concentrate resources on fighting
organized crime.

Alberto Lozano, press attache, embassy of Mexico in Canada, Ottawa.