Decriminalization of Certain Drugs?

A few days ago, Mexican President Felipe Calderon proposed legislation that would decriminalize the possession of small quantities of certain drugs.

Faced with a soaring drug problem (the number of drug addicts in Mexico has doubled in the last 6 years), President Caldron is clearly trying to solve a pressing problem that is only getting worse.

What problems will this solution bring forth to taxpayers and society?

“The problem is not whether or not certain drugs should or shouldn’t be decriminalized,” states Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. “The problem is the perception that drug addicts are criminal, unwanted elements of society, and using jail as a deterrent will solve the drug war.

“Neither perception is correct.

“Undoubtedly there are anti-social and destructive people who should make restitution for the crimes they have committed to society.  

“However, simply incarcerating people does not solve their drug addiction, nor does it put them in a position to take responsibility for their prior actions.

“Drug addiction is a terrible burden: mentally and physically affected by the drug, whether it be cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or even prescription drugs that are abused, the drug addict cannot, of course, make rational decisions regarding their conduct.

“This in no way relieves them of the responsibility of their actions, but can explain why they would act the way they do to continue to keep themselves supplied with the drug: lying, cheating, stealing.”

Studies have shown that drug rehab is more cost effective, more practical, and more effective, in terms of recidivism and criminality, than incarceration.

“Why would we spend tens of thousands of dollars a year to incarcerate a drug addict when for a fraction of the cost and time, these same drug addicts can be successfully rehabilitated?” continues Ms. Rieser.

"It is clear that we cannot arrest our way out of the problem of chronic drug abuse and drug-driven crime. We cannot continue to apply policies and programs that do not deal with the root causes of substance abuse and attendant crime. Nor should we expect to continue to have the widespread societal support for our counter-drug programs if the American people begin to believe these programs are unfair." - Barry R. McCaffrey, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

"They [mandatory sentences] have not stemmed the drug trade. The only thing they've done is to fill the prisons." - Retired Republican New York State Senator John Dunne

“A judge let me use the Narconon protocol on drug offenders and drug addicts to see if rehabilitation was a better route than incarceration,” comments Ms. Rieser.

“Our results 7 years ago and today show that fewer people revert to drugs or criminal behavior after completing the program than they would if they had not done a drug rehab program and simply gone to jail.”

If someone you know is drug addicted, call us.  We have a 76% success rate.

We are Narconon – The New Life Program.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia at 1-877-413-3073.
      
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