DRUG PROBLEMS NEED A NEW APPROACH

After more than 80 futile years of targeting the drug trade, the federal
government should take a serious look at how it approaches addiction

The valiant work being conducted at treatment centres across the country
emphasizes the need for the government to refocus its strategy towards a
harm-reduction policy.

Drug addiction needs to be looked at from a health perspective, as opposed
to the heavy hand of the law.

As a reasonable society, we must take a reasonable approach to the problem.

Addiction funding for research, treatment and education needs to be boosted
if we have any hopes of ever overcoming the obstacles it throws in
society's path.

Throwing users into the criminal justice system has proved
counter-productive and done little to stop users from re-offending.

The courts simply can't address the scope of the problem. Criminal
organizations make billions in undeclared profits every year from the drug
trade and can always find someone desperate enough to pick up the slack
when a "soldier" is lost to the courts.

More resources need to be committed to preventing drug use before it
starts. If the federal government is so concerned about fixing the problem,
it needs to free up the resources needed to win the fight.

Whether it's treatment centres, after-care programs or the host of social
issues that contribute to drug use, the federal government needs to develop
a cohesive plan and fund it properly. In addition, we would like to see
educational programs in schools being given a higher profile.

To win the fight we advocate a preventive approach, instead of the
reactionary model we have followed for so many years.

- - Vernon Morning Star