NEEDLES IN KIDS' PLAYGROUND INDICATES DRUG POLICY FAILURE

Prohibition on drugs makes the world more dangerous. What could be
clearer than having to warn children against playing in the snow
because of the danger of discarded needles? (Used needles emerge from
melting snow SP, March 13).

Making drugs illegal has resulted in a variety of ills from which we
all suffer. Illegal drugs have given us a thriving underground
economy complete with its own Al Capones and G-men.

Illegal drug use is the most frequent reason for new HIV and
hepatitis C infections. Illegal drugs crowd our prisons with
non-violent drug offenders who return from prison worse than when
they went in. These drugs even make our parks dangerous for our children.

And for what? We have just as many users doing just as many drugs as
in places where drugs are legal.

If we had a safe injection site such as the one in Vancouver, we
could expect to reduce the number of overdose deaths and reduce the
number of infections of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, while making
playgrounds safe for our children by providing safe needle disposal.
We would save the lives of drug users and precious health-care
dollars. More people would live healthier lives.

We're in the drug prohibition hole. The sooner we stop digging, the
sooner we will can start to climb our way out.

Ken Sailor

Saskatoon