FEAR OF BEING PENALIZED KEEPS ADDICTS FROM GOING FOR HELP

According to a Jan. 29 Standard article, Niagara Regional Police have
charged a Hamilton teen for allegedly supplying an illegal drug to a girl
who nearly overdosed.

This reaffirms an already bad precedent. Drug users are reluctant to seek
medical attention for fear of being charged with a crime.

Attempting to save the life of a friend could result in a murder charge.
The tough-on-some drugs approach results in easily preventable deaths.

Rehabilitation is also confounded.

I think it's safe to say that turnout at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
would be rather low if alcoholism were a crime pursued with zero tolerance
zeal.

Eliminating the stigma and penalties associated with illicit drug abuse
would encourage the type of honest discussion necessary to facilitate
rehabilitation and save lives.

Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

15th Street NW

Washington, D.C.