By Teresa Keane

The war on drugs is a failure. Recent information enlightens us to the social costs of ruined lives of individuals and families and destruction of communities. Last week, after the 40th anniversary of the drug war and more than 40 million arrests across America, the Global Commission on Drug Policy declared "the war has failed."

They added that reform of fundamental policies is needed. The White House shot back: no way. Here in Oregon, the Justice Department is threatening marijuana dispensaries. At the same time The Oregonian reports that lawmakers are again refusing to reform our sentencing laws many of which put non-violent people caught with possession behind bars.

Let's get serious and smart about drug policy. First, let's respect research and redefine addiction as a medical condition, not a crime. Many European countries have legalized drugs and now treat addicts. This policy takes the criminality out of addiction and saves lives and millions of dollars. Second, let's look at our marijuana policy. The sane thing to do would be to tax and regulate marijuana.

We may not be ready for this step yet so let's expand access to medical marijuana. First the federal government needs to reclassify marijuana as a CIII drug. This means it would be available by prescription. In my work as a nurse practitioner, I see many patients who benefit from the Medical Marijuana program.

Many people in pain can use only marijuana for relief. Others use marijuana because it allows them to reduce their quantity of opioids (morphine, oxycodone, Vicodin etc.). The Veterans Health Administration recently changed its policy to allow veterans to use marijuana in the states where it is legal.

Oregon now has a commission looking at the crisis in rising prescription drug deaths. Opioids are now the preferred drugs of abuse in our high schools. These drugs kill people when not used properly. Marijuana is safe and effective compared to most pharmaceuticals. No patient has ever died from an overdose of marijuana.

Other patients find marijuana is helpful for many symptoms that are not yet covered by the Oregon law such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, bipolar illness, PTSD, etc. Patients without pain cannot legally use marijuana for these symptoms unless they have a covered symptom as well. This forces patients to use pharmaceutical agents that often have higher risk of side effects and may have abuse potential.

Who benefits from our "war on drugs"? Law enforcement, private prison owners and workers and the pharmaceutical industry. Who loses? Individuals who use drugs for recreation, people who suffer from the disease of addiction, families and communities who lose members to prison and tax payers who pay for incarceration.

It's time we demand reform of drug laws to the betterment of all Oregonians.



Teresa Keane is a nurse practitioner who lives in Southwest Portland.