Opinions - Article: Battle against drug trafficking must never be abandoned

[~lostgurl~]

How can crap like this even be published. Take the war on drugs and summarise it into, well into this, probably to fill in a space on the newspaper that was empty.... its not like any of this is newsworthy

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Battle against drug trafficking must never be abandoned

The Gisbourne Herald (NZ)
by Iain Gillies
Saturday, 30 December, 2006

IT never ceases to amaze us just how many people say that the war on drugs will never work. It is often claimed it is far too costly and the money should be put into more productive options. Surely this is an indication that the drug-bosses are feeling the pressure put on by the police both here and abroad.

What has to be looked at here is not the expense of fighting the war, but the expense in human life, particularly the young, if we just walk away from this insidious evil that ruins so many lives. Yes, it must be frustrating for the police. They recently made a huge methamphetamine bust and one police officer commented that even though they hoped their activities would result in a disruption of supply, they know others will soon fill this void, and the whole thing will carry on. Yes, that’s the true scenario. But there’s a huge up-side to it, too. And that is the tremendous surge of hope it gives to ordinary New Zealanders who bring up their children hoping they’ll survive the many traps waiting for them when they hit the streets and night-spots, parties and celebrations, as they practically all do in their teenage years.

Drug trafficking is a sordid way of making a quick buck. Those who indulge in this ugliest of trades deserve to be caught and punished to the limit the law allows. Caught they are. And punished. Thanks to the efforts of the police. But the consequence of their illegal promotion of drugs is not so easily dealt with. The addicted have to be cared for by society if they are to regain their self-respect and health. Addicts cannot be expected to stop their ruinous habit just because grubby traffickers are either caught or frightened off the scene. The addicts, as a result, become more vulnerable and in need of treatment. This places a huge responsibility on doctors and drug treatment centres.

Society can be thankful that, costly though it may be, the police war on drugs will continue. Therapy must also continue. It is the other branch of attack.

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/arti...iid=609&sud=41