Coalition Against CANNABIS

What do they mean by 'harm reduction'?

A Conspiracy

Most people, particularly parents, throughout the world see the creation of a DRUG FREE SOCIETY as an objective beyond all disputes. They see the scourge of drugs. They recognise the huge social and financial costs. They know that the ravages of drugs deprive communities of resources which should be devoted to health and the creation of an acceptable social environment.

Most countries now have highly organised and violent criminal networks which are targeting millions of children and young people. Ruthless traffickers have ensured that the young now have direct access to illicit drugs.

A huge lobby, including libertarian extremist, has emerged. It deliberately minimises the danger of drugs. Some of its supporters claim that the use of drugs is acceptable. They seek to get rid of all constraints, and contrary scientific and medical finding they grossly underestimate the seriousness of the drug situation, including the extreme dangers of cannabis.

There is now a well-funded international conspiracy with the aim of ultimately legalising all drugs, starting with cannabis. They dismiss the concept of a drug-free society and are pursuing policies called "harm reduction". They even speak of 'safe' ways of abusing drugs. Some of them argue that it is an infringement of human rights for people to be prevented from using dangerous drugs.

A Warning

The United Nations International Narcotics Control Board has said "Persons in favour of legalising illicit drug use argue that drug abusers should not have their basic rights violated; however, it does not seem to have occurred to those persons that drug abusers themselves violate the basic rights of their own family members and society. Families and society also have rights that should be respected and upheld".

The President of the Board, Philip Emafo, says "To abandon drug control is like abandoning a commitment to social and economic progress. Not taking drug control seriously or legalising drugs can never be a policy option for Governments that put the welfare of their people at the core of their activities. Advocates of drug legalisation, particularly of cannabis, are vocal and access to considerable funds that are used to misinform the public. Nevertheless the general public has consistently rejected legalisation of drugs". He said "Cannabis is not a harmless drug as advocates for its legalisation tend to portray" and the Board has stated "It would be imprudent to add to the burden on national health care systems with another harmful substance like cannabis. The likely increase in the abuse of cannabis and the harm to individuals and the community outweighs any possible benefits for relaxed controls on cannabis".

The UN Board warns that the illicit drug industry can destabilise society and economies. It specifically refers to gang-wars, kidnapping and extortion coupled with gambling, prostitution, drug abuse and the loss of community cohesion. It states, "The main symptom or manifestation of destabilisation of civil society is rising levels of crime, notably violent crime". It also states "Drug related crime includes acquisitive crime, gang wars, violence in public places, extortion and kidnapping".

The UN Board has given a strong warning. They say "Some distractions come from groups that advocate legalisation or decriminalisation of drug offences, and others come from groups that favour a crusade focusing only on 'harm minimisation' or 'harm reduction'. Contrary to all available evidence, such lobbyists have persisted in proclaiming that there are safe ways to abuse drugs". Many people are now profoundly concerned that wrong policies could be imposed upon countries by dubious organisations which have access to funds - some of them public. The UN Board also says, "Supporters of such legalisation pursue their goals through aggressive, well funded campaigns and with missionary zeal. Their arguments, however, do not reflect the truth. The truth is that there are no safe ways to abuse drugs. The truth is that drug abuse creates problem for the drug abusers, for their immediate environment and, ultimately, for society as a whole. Most people are all too familiar with the pain experienced by the family members of a drug addict and with the disintegration of families as a result of drug abuse and many people are aware of the loss of productivity that occurs in companies whose employees abuse drugs". The Board warns, "The sight of unkempt drug abusers on street corners and in train stations, begging for money to finance their drug habits, cannot be ignored by responsible governments. States have a moral and legal responsibility to protect drug abusers from further self-destruction".

National governments should not give up and allow advocates of legalisation to take control of their national drug policies. They should not be intimidated by a vocal minority which wants to legalise drug use. Governments must respect the view of the majority of lawful citizens. Those citizens are against illicit drug use. Harm reduction will cause more suffering. Our objective must be a drug-free society.

Published by the National Coalition Against Cannabis,
95-97 Railway Road, Leigh WN7 4AD.