DECRIMINALIZATION - DEBATE SHOULD FOCUS ON EXPERIENCE

That experience, in Portugal, now exists and has been published (see extensive summary at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n435/a10.html which links to Apr 18 article in Vancouver Sun). In a nutshell: the fears that decriminalizaiton would lead to increased use of illicit drugs did not materialize; to the contrary, use went down. As for concomitant criminality and medical problems associated with drug use, they too decreased markedly. The Sun article concludes: "Now that the evidence in favour of decriminalization is in, politicians should no longer be permitted to corral support for criminalization by stirring up public fear of a bogeyman that doesn't exist."

PROVIDING METHADONE TREATMENT ALLEGED TO AID HEROIN DEALERS:

That's the bizarre conclusion reached by to economists(!) at Massey University in New Zealand. The thinking goes like this: methadone takes "high risk users out of the market," and since these users "can't always pay the dealers...when they are out of the market the dealers' distribution costs drop." Go figure! To download Story (on air) click here

NIMBY- NEVER BEEN WORSE:

In Calgary, Canada, a methadone clinic serving 500 patients for years has given up hope of finding a new site when its lease expires shortly. According to the news article, “Even the superintendent of the RCMP . . . went public in the newspaper and said since the clinic has opened, crime has dropped.” The only other clinic in the area, run by the Province, already has 300 patients; it hopes to take over the displaced patients, but there is a likelihood of “a potential three-month window” when care will be interrupted. The clinic owner stated, “I’ve been doing this for 16 years and I’ve never run into opposition like this in my life.”
Full story: http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2009/04/13/9096751-sun.html

PUTTING NIMBY IN PERSPECTIVE:

From the University of Canada (Calgary) student newspaper a thoughtful commentary pointing out the self-defeating, counter-intuitive and counter-productive nature of a battle over a methadone treatment facility site. Click Here to Read Article

ADDICTION TREATMENT – SOME PEOPLE JUST DON’T GET IT (BUT HEALTH MINISTERS SHOULD!):

the Irish Health Minister was quoted as saying, “I have grave concern that people seem to be on methadone for an extended period of time. . . . I want to see an active methadone-reduction program.” (http://www.free-articles-zone.com/print.php?id=240473)

LEGISLATORS LOVE THOSE DRUG TESTS (USA):

In Kansas, the State House “. . . just voted 99-26 in favor of implementing random drug tests for those receiving cash assistance from the state.” (http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/17811) And in West Virginia, State Delegate Craig Blair has issued a statement urging that the State “…should require random drug testing for every individual receiving welfare, food assistance or unemployment benefits.” (http://notwithmytaxdollars.com/ )

For sure there will be legal challenges and critics will also point out that the costs of such programs will be enormous. Those who nevertheless want to introduce and who are willing to vote for such measures should be obliged to submit – themselves – to the same urine tests, collected and analyzed in an identical manner to what they want to impose on those receiving public assistance - and they should agree to promptly give up their (tax-paid!) salaries and positions should the results be “positive.” If they are willing to agree to such a precondition, then heir legislative initiatives would deserve serious consideration.