WHEREAS, the citizens of all countries have a right to a medical system that is based on medical and scientific knowledge, standards and testing of any dangerous drug before it may be certified as having a bona fide medical application; and

WHEREAS, the process whereby dangerous drugs are examined and tested for bona fide medical application is best left to medical and scientific professionals who utilize established protocols and testing criteria that have advanced the medical profession to its current level and provided the finest medical care in history to those who benefit from this system; and

WHEREAS, the proposals to discard the utilization of scientific and medical standards and testing criteria as the bases for determining legitimate medical applications of dangerous drugs is highly detrimental to the health and safety of all peoples; and

WHEREAS, the decontrol of dangerous drugs by public referendum would have terrible consequences for the public such as increased demand, availability, use and addiction of drugs, and concomitant violence in our communities; and

WHEREAS, the utilization of such public referendums, devoid of a mandated adherence to medical and scientific standards, provides ample opportunity for those favoring the legalization of drugs to mask their true interest via well-organized, well-financed and clever public relations campaigns to deceive the public as to the true nature and consequences of such initiatives; and

WHEREAS, at a time of growing concern over drug use, especially by young people, law enforcement executives recognize this is not the time to be sending misleading or confusing signals to our youth that dangerous drugs found to have no medical value are suddenly less harmful or acceptable; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 104th annual conference in Orlando, Florida, urges all governments and governmental bodies to vigorously protect the health and safety of their citizens through an adherence to established medical and scientific criteria as the sole bases for determining when a dangerous drug has a bona fide medical purpose; and, therefore, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police urges all governments to review their current laws and regulations governing the control and scheduling of dangerous drugs and ensure that proper safeguards and controls are in place to protect their citizens.