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Page 1 cr <br /> PICoulJc11 <br /> , <br /> Murashige, Laura - <br /> From: Matt Rifkin [mattrifkin28 @gmail.com] ii_11 JUN 21 Pni 7 r` <br /> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:10 AM <br /> To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us # ' <br /> Subject: testimony for June 23 Resolution 340 -10 <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> June 23, 2010 <br /> Resolution 340 -10 Supports the Organization Law Encorcement Against Prohibition <br /> STRONGLY SUPPORT <br /> At the committee hearing for this resolution, several council members said they could not support this <br /> because LEAP wants to legalize all drugs. <br /> It is true that is what LEAP supports, but to clarify their position...they do not say all drugs should be <br /> regulated the same way. <br /> The best example I can think of is that of pain medications. There is a wide range of drugs that are used <br /> to manage pain. Certain drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are available over -the- <br /> counter, and even are sold to minors. Other drugs, such as oxycontin, vicoden, percocet, Vioxx, <br /> Celebrex, are prescribed by medical doctors, and are tightly controlled. There are even stronger pain <br /> medications, such as controlled - release morphine, dilaudid, fentanyl (patches). These drugs have even <br /> tighter controlls, such as extra paper work for doctors, since they are so addictive and subject to abuse. <br /> They are very powerful, dangerous drugs, but they are LEGAL (and very tightly controlled). <br /> The same standards would be applied to the other drugs....cannabis would be regulated, taxed and <br /> distributed within certain regulations, and would be available similar to alcohol...sold in certain <br /> locations and to people of a certain age. Making herion or ICE legal doesn't mean you would make it <br /> easy to obtain. LEAP's argument is that these are dangerous drugs and therefore they need to be <br /> regulated, that is why you make them legal. 'Just because it is legal does not mean you encourage its use. <br /> Heroin is legally given to addicts in Switzerland...the purity is assured, and the addicts don't have to <br /> steal to get money for it. Even though heroin is available, people are not rushing out to use it. There are <br /> not people waiting in line to become addicts. Because the heroin is regulated, the strength and purity are <br /> assured. There are fewer over dose deaths, and rates of HIV infection and Hepatitus C have decreased <br /> because addicts are not sharing needles. <br /> I hope the council will look more closely at what LEAP means when they say they want to leagalize all <br /> drugs. <br /> Please pass this resolution. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> � <br /> Matthew Rifkin $(a 5 <br /> tom C <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Uate N 2 3 201 <br /> 6/21/2010 <br />