DRUGS AND ALCOHOL POLICY

ANDRE LYDER,

ANDRE LYDER,

Sir, - Paul Bowler's attack (July 19th) on the recent article by Minister of State Noel Ahern (Opinion, July 15th) contains an argument made no less spurious by the number of times it is repeated.

Maintaining laws against the possession and use of drugs, he asserts, is a waste of time and "will always end in failure" as there is no historical precedent for any government "being successful in eliminating drug use."

Of course there is not. Nor is there much precedent for the elimination of murder, rape, armed robbery, burglary, or the myriad of other things societies have legislated against for centuries. Should we also declare "failure" in these areas and abandon any further attempts at deterrence?

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Mr Bowler, furthermore, having dramatically brought to our attention the negative impact on today's society of alcohol and tobacco, both legal and strenuously taxed, argues that all other drugs should be legalised and taxed! Will this really improve the situation? He outlines, of course, a most laudable social programme which should be implemented, but why additional drug money is necessary to produce this is unclear.

Incidentally,I think Mr Bowler is doing a disservice to the people of Saudi Arabia in implying that their level of drug abuse is the same as that of Holland. - Yours, etc.,

ANDRE LYDER, Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada.