Ana's death by Russian roulette should make us think again about drugs

Our drug laws are based on denial, and they have failed, says Brendan O'Connor. If we want to protect our kids we should focus on harm-reduction

The war on drugs is being lost, one incarcerated or dead young person at a time. Ana Hick was the latest victim, last Sunday. Ana's 19th birthday was a funeral. She was dead because she did what millions of kids before her did, and what millions more will do. She played Russian roulette with pills she bought from a criminal on the street. And she died because our drugs laws do not protect our children, or take into account human nature.

In all the commentary about Ana's death, perhaps the bravest, and most real thing, was said by Kathryn Thomas, who pointed out that we all took risks at that age, through drinking too much or whatever. Kids do take risks. And as adults,...

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URL: 
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/brendan-oconnor/anas-death-by-russian-roulette-should-make-us-think-again-about-drugs-31248539.html