ATTACK DRUG ABUSE LIKE WE MEAN IT

How did this country, and the U.S., become such drug-addicted
societies? A recent report states that the pain killer, OxyContin is
now the No. 1 drug used by addicts in North America. But whether it's
this drug, crack cocaine, crystal meth, or others, the result is
always the same, wasted lives, needless deaths, crime, and tons of
taxpayers' money that should be used for productive purposes. It's a
cop-out when Ministers of Health claim there's no easy answer.

What's appalling is how OxyContin, so ill used, is so easily available
in Ontario alone. In 2008, provincial pharmacies dispensed
prescriptions for OxyContin that were more than double the national
average. Then, in 2009-10, the Ontario Drug plan processed 3.9 million
opioid claims made by 776,000 people. The population of Ontario is
just over 12 million! And this is just one province!

What's gone wrong? Some doctors prescribe OxyContin for sprained
ankles when less potent drugs would do. Addicts also locate doctors
most likely to renew their prescriptions.

Some argue this problem can be solved by more treatment centres, more
trained personnel, improved housing, etc., etc. I agree this is ideal,
but it does nothing to stop the root cause of addiction, particularly
easy access to illegal drugs.

What would work? Several years ago I interviewed drug officials in
Singapore. I've never forgotten the two words they used to describe
the incompetence of politicians in this country. They stated they had
become "irresponsibly permissive."

Years ago Singaporean politicians committed the same sin. Drug
traffickers were allowed free range and heroin addiction became a
major problem for young people. But there's a major difference between
Singapore and this country. Unlike our gutless politicians, Singapore
had a visionary President, Lee Kuan Yew, who took drastic action to
stop the trafficking of heroin.

Lee Kuan Yew introduced the death penalty for major drug traffickers.
Lesser drug offences were punishable by caning.

But the government also realized this policy was doomed to failure if
drugs continued to be easily available. So drug infected areas were
flooded with police 24 hours a day for up to nine months. Addicts were
picked up and sent to treatment centres. Major drug dealers were
hanged, others imprisoned (health authorities in Canada and the U.S.
take note).

I've heard ad nauseam that harsh punishment does not deter crime. This
is the perpetual cry of do-gooders. Singapore officials retorted that
only five per cent of those who were caned became repeat offenders.
Even Aristotle, the father of medicine, preached that "punishment is a
form of medicine."

Our week-kneed politicians who have no idea how to curb drug addiction
should visit Singapore. It would be tax dollars well spent.

While in Singapore they would not see the disgusting drug scenes that
have become a part of so many North American cities. Drug dealers
dispense their illegal wares in broad daylight while others inject
themselves on the street with impunity with whatever drug is available.

I can already hear the critics howling "blue murder" about the
Singapore solution. But they need not worry as it will not happen in
North America. Unfortunately, there is no Lee Kaun Yew who has the
vision and intestinal fortitude to enact tough legislation. Rather, we
have namby-pamby officials who cannot see the medical and social chaos
of a "no action" plan.

We cannot cure all those addicts who are now a part of our society.
But the Singapore plan could stop their cancerous growth.