cannabisnews.com: Clinton's Drugs Adviser Supports Canberra Stance! Clinton's Drugs Adviser Supports Canberra Stance! Posted by FoM on July 14, 1999 at 09:16:42 PT By Michaelle Grattan in Washington Source: The Sydney Morning Herald The White House's drug policy director, General Barry McCaffrey, yesterday backed Mr Howard's opposition to shooting galleries and heroin trials, describing such reforms as "like pouring alcohol into an alcoholic". General McCaffrey, who will visit Australia in November to discuss how to achieve a drug-free Olympics, held a joint press conference with Mr Howard in Washington yesterday.General McCaffrey is President Clinton's primary adviser on drugs and supporter of so-called zero tolerance policies. But he said drug abuse among adolescents could not be prevented strictly through threats and coercion."You have to start with a coherent message to kids from about the 6th grade to the 12th grade, from people they find credible ... that in our school, our family, we don't use drugs," he said."If you want to reduce drug abuse, you have to have high social disapproval of drug use. Then you have to have the effective organisations and [have] that culture make that message."In his fight for a drug-free Olympics, General McCaffrey is spearheading United States efforts to introduce year-round testing, an independent testing commission and a policy of saving samples for the future to counter cheating by athletes.He said he thought Australia was better organised in the fight against drugs in sport than almost any other country.There was a tremendous amount of interest in how to guarantee that both in Sydney and Salt Lake City international competition was based on "raw human talent and spirit" rather than drugs.So he had accepted an invitation from Mr Howard to learn more about Australia's approach to the drugs in sport problem.General McCaffrey said the world was "awash in heroin".He had told the Prime Minister that probably 800,000 Americans regularly used heroin. Drug abuse in the United States killed 52,000 people a year.He opposed a distinction between soft drugs like marijuana and hard drugs. Drugs like marijuana were a "gateway" to other drugs as well as doing harm themselves.General McCaffrey said that it would be a crime to suggest what every heroin addict would like to believe - that there was some way the drug could be used safely and the stigma washed off the user."The problem is heroin is chronically addictive. You do develop dependence. Your dose rate goes up. You become incapable of working in any serious way."Addicts could not feel emotions, including the sense of love for their family, in the same way as non-addicts.Mr Howard told the joint press conference that discussion with General McCaffrey had reinforced in his own mind that there was the right balance in policy in Australia.This was a balance between education, effective interception and enforcement and adequate investment in treatment.He said the drug courts in the United States were very similar to the diversion policy being adopted in Australia.The Sydney Morning HeraldPubdate: Date: 14/07/99 END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by dorothee on July 22, 2003 at 01:42:23 PT: legalisation of cannabis? We are a not-for-profit broadcaster dedicated to featuring diverse and grassroots stories, from local to global, to inspire others to be more active in their communities. The Community Channel is an inspiring source of information, and brings to life issues at the heart of the voluntary sector. The topic of this week concerns the legalisation of cannabis . We would be delighted if you featured highlights of our schedule so that your audience could tune in to the Community Channel for relevant and interesting programming. I would be grateful if you could let me know if this is possible and what you would need from us to make it happen.Should cannabis be legalised and sold like alcohol and tobacco? Have you ever heard the view of a surgeon about that controversial topic? Connie Fozzard, Mayor of Truro and retired surgeon, is calling for a public debate on legalisation. What are your personal views about that current issue? To see that debate – and lots of other exciting content - watch the Community Channel from 27 July to 02 August 2003 on Sky digital 684 and Telewest 233 between 8.00am - 8.00pm and on Freeview 46 between 3.00am - 5.30am. Tell your friends- and let us know what you think of what you seeWe look forward to hearing from you (please send your feedback to dorotheea communitychannel.org)Best wishes, Dorothée and the Community Channel team. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: