HARSHLY PUNITIVE STEPS DON'T DETER DRUG USE

According to a Dec. 2 article, "A new anti-drug law touted as a way to
punish club-drug dealers is being used to lodge drug-induced homicide
charges against friends who help friends get high."

This reaffirms an already bad precedent. Drug users are reluctant to seek
medical attention in the event of an overdose for fear of being charged
with a crime. Attempting to save a life could result in a murder charge.

Overzealous drug enforcement results in easily preventable deaths.
Rehabilitation also is 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 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 Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C.