WAR ON DRUGS IS ALREADY LOST

Why is the direction of discussion on the problem of drug use always
toward increasing the law-and-order approach? The only way to
decrease the illegal drug problem is to legalize the use of all
drugs, regulate their use and fund services to help those who wish to
get off drugs.

If we remove the obscene profits from the pushers, get the police
busy dealing with real crimes and increase the education of citizens,
we will only be faced with the problems that we face with alcohol and
tobacco use, which are minuscule compared with the costs associated
with the current legal and medical approach.

It is no accident that the U.S.-driven invasion of Afghanistan has
had one major economic outcome: Afghanistan has become the world's
largest supplier of illegal drugs. We must bite the bullet and face
the bitter truth that the "war against drugs" has been lost and we
should make radical changes in our approach.

Phil Lyons,

Victoria.