FORUM REBUTS 'DRUGGIE' IMAGE

Losers, stoners and criminals-drug users are scarcely viewed as saints
by society in general.

These stereotypes were the subject of a recent forum at the University
of Victoria on Oct. 23, where several drug policy experts argued that
drug prohibition causes more problems than solutions.

"It's not [the drug prohibition] policy we're fighting here, it's the
ideology," said Dave Otto, who spoke on behalf of Law Enforcement
Against Prohibition (LEAP), a U.S.-based group.

As a former corrections officer at one of US's roughest prisons, Otto
has seen the "drug war" from both sides of the battlefield.

This gives him a unique view of North America's current situation, he
said. He dubbed the metaphorical crusade as out of control and said it
dehumanizes both the policy enforcers and drug users.

The seminar addressed the argument that legalizing marijuana would
reduce the criminal incentive to dabble in drug dealing. Legislative
control would allegedly regulate potency, production, and price-while
also allowing the government to collect taxes on what is currently a
black market industry.

According to presenters, by prohibiting marijuana use, governments are
allowing society to essentially turn their backs on addicts and label
them criminals as opposed to viewing them as people with medical
problems who need help.

"As long as we criminalize drugs, we see [the users] as nonhuman,"
said Otto. "If you give them love-if you connect with them on a human
level-you have the opportunity to lift them up. At the very least, you
won't do any more harm."

In America, tough marijuana possession restrictions often land addicts
and dealers in jail instead of rehab. Critics point out this costs
taxpayers millions of dollars that could be better spent on treatment
programs.

"Victoria is headed in the right direction," said Gordon Harper, a
local drug and addiction specialist. "There has never been a day as
hopeful as today."

The forum was the first in a series of "hot topic" seminars to be
presented by the Victoria Progressive Electors Association this school
term.

For more information, contact the UVic Greens Club at
greens@uvss.uvic.ca