Legalizing drugs is irresponsible

European Commissioner Emma Bonino is the latest notable official to convert to the view that drugs should be legalized. Like most converts to most causes, she displays much passion and belief, and little reason.

The views and influence of Ms. Bonino and those like her in North America and Europe deserve attention. Otherwise, they may be taken seriously and result in badly flawed policy with far- reaching and harmful results.

Ms. Bonino, in a speech to the converted in Brussels, has one major reason for legalizing drugs -- or "decriminalizing" in the jargon of the group. She says that prohibition hasn't worked, that drugs are widely available and drug traffickers continue to enter the trade.

This is the main belief of the legalization converts. It is also an argument which can be dismissed quickly.

It makes no more sense to surrender to drug traffickers and street peddlers than to bank robbers, purse snatchers or rapists.

Ms. Bonino argues that because there is drug smuggling, then societies should not combat it. This is ludicrous reasoning. The only direction it can logically lead to is a call for the end of all laws, on the sole basis that criminals sometimes get away without punishment.

Even more troubling in their own way are two recent referenda in last month's elections in the United States. By clear pluralities, voters in the states of California and Arizona approved the legalization of marijuana possession, sale and use. To be fair, both these referenda call only for such trafficking for "medical" purposes. That means doctors can prescribe marijuana to their patients.

This was laughable when it was proposed, and sinister now that it has been approved. There is no shred of scientific evidence marijuana is a medicine, even in the broadest sense of the word.

The Attorney General of California, Dan Lungren, is going to play along with this unscientific and ridiculous referendum. He hopes doctors will not merely rubber-stamp marijuana prescriptions. He will let prison and jail directors decide whether to give it to prisoners. He hopes bus drivers, heavy equipment operators and others will not abuse it.

We hope Mr. Lungren, Ms. Bonino and others like them come to their senses.

-- The Bangkok Post