HARM PRODUCTION AND DRUGS

St. Catharines, Ont. -- In decrying harm reduction (Harper Takes Aim
At Drug Culture - Oct. 5), Stephen Harper reasons that if you remain
a drug addict you will "have a short and miserable life."

Historically, many people lived long and productive lives while
habitually using drugs such as cocaine and heroin. What was the
difference between then and now? Drug prohibition. By making drug use
illegal, authorities forced people who sought and sold drugs to the
margins of society. Drug sales became the purview of criminals, and
the market became the marginal and the miserable.

Perpetuating this cycle is unconscionable.

DAN MALLECK

Department of Community Health Sciences, Brock University