TREAT DRUG ABUSE AS A MEDICAL PROBLEM

RUMOURS OF the federal justice minister's intention to decriminalize simple
pot possession has brought the usual cries of "Never!" from the
law-and-order types across the country.

Where would that leave the whole "justice" industry? From the police to
parole officers and everyone in between, they'd all be adversely affected.

Besides, for the billions we've invested in the "war on drugs," it's been a
stunning success story, right?

Yeah, just like Prohibition in the 1920s, and its all-too-predictable results.

What's that old saying about failing to learn from history again?

Seriously, though, as a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser (five years
clean and sober now), I am definitely not pro-drug use. But sooner or later
we'll have to start treating the whole issue of drug abuse as a medical
rather than a legal problem.

In the meantime, we need to cut through the meaningless rhetoric about
"sending the wrong message" and "gateway" drugs, and take a hard look at
who's benefiting from the status quo.

Randolph Way

Mississauga

(You mean other than organized crime gangs)