We have to find new solutions to Latin America's drugs nightmare
Narcotics should be legally available – in a highly regulated market, argues the president of Guatemala
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Guatemala will not fail to honour any of its international commitments  to fighting drug trafficking. But nor are we willing to continue as dumb  witnesses to a global self-deceit. We cannot eradicate global drug  markets, but we can certainly regulate them as we have done with alcohol  and tobacco markets. Drugs should be  treated as public health problems, not criminal justice issues. Our  children and grandchildren demand from us a more effective drug policy,  not a more ideological response. Next weekend, leaders from the Americas will meet in Cartagena. This is an opportunity to start a realistic and responsible intergovernmental dialogue on drug policy.


						


