if you live in BC come to debate at abbotsford

Stamper takes on Plecas, Mackenzie

Feb 23 2006

Is the â??war on drugsâ? really worth it?

Thatâ??s one of the most contentious questions in the criminal justice system and one that will be tackled by leading criminal justice professionals in a live debate at the Abbotsford campus of the University College of the Fraser Valley on Feb. 28

One argument says that the â??war on drugsâ? isnâ??t working and that the enormous police and justice system resources spent pursuing â??softâ? drugs such as marijuana could be better spent elsewhere, especially given that alcohol, which some argue is more socially harmful than marijuana, is available for purchase and government regulated.

Some people on this side of the debate also question the wisdom of treating hard drug users as criminals, and advocate taking a â??harm reductionâ? approach, treating addicts as people in need of medical help.
The opposing argument says that the â??war on drugsâ? is working and should continue. Advocates of this viewpoint to significant declines in the crime rate and youth drug use in the United States.

The debate will continue at UCFV on Tuesday, Feb 28, when Dr. Norm Stamper, a well-known American advocate of ending the war on drugs takes on Dr. Darryl Plecas, the UCFV/RCMP Research Chair in Criminal Justice, and Abbotsford Chief of Police Ian Mackenzie, who is also a lawyer and adjunct professor of criminology at UCFV.

â??While we will argue that the war on drugs is not a failure, we will also emphasize that itâ??s not inconsistent to embrace aspects of harm reduction while also taking a hard enforcement approach to drug laws,â? said Plecas, who has conducted extensive research on the marijuana industry in Canada.

Stamper, who holds a PhD and is the former Seattle Chief of Police, is the author of

Breaking Rank:
A Top Copâ??s Expose of the Dark Side of American Policing.
The title of his book refers to going up against police traditions.

For example, in one chapter, he discusses his argument for the relaxation of American drug laws, including decriminalization of some drugs.

The debate will be held at 5:30 pm in the main lecture theatre (B101) of the UCFV Abbotsford campus, 33844 King Rd.
The public is welcome to attend the debate. Admission is free. Pay parking applies on the Abbotsford campus.