Pubdate: Wed, 4 Apr 2001
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Website: http://www.thenownews.com/
Author: Mike Linde

LEGALIZING DRUGS WON'T WORK

Re: Regulate drugs the same as alcohol, Saturday, March 17, The NOW.

First, I would like to address the war on drugs. I believe the Americans 
have a war on drugs. At best Canada has put up a weak struggle. British 
Columbia has all but given up, or so it would seem.

We would be fools to believe there is such a simplistic solution to such a 
complex problem. To legalize all drugs would not remove the criminal 
element. If the Canadian government wished to produce and sell drugs, 
organized crime would still be doing business as usual.

For example, if Canada were to legalize marijuana, it would not eliminate 
the large-scale marijuana grow operations in our neighbourhoods. The 
majority of the product is heading south - the U.S. is a huge market. Only 
a small percentage of what is grown in Canada is for local markets.

Criminal organizations and independent dealers will continue to torment 
their neighbours by operating in our neighbourhoods. These drug houses in 
turn will be ripped off by rival gangs and other crooks and will 
occasionally burn down. This will destroy the fabric of our communities.

I have no opinion on marijuana for medical purposes or small possession for 
personal use. However, in this day of the anti-tobacco movement and the 
effort spent to keep kids from smoking, what kind of message would we send 
by legalizing any recreational drug?

Will this lead to a higher usage by society, and if so will automotive 
accidents involving drivers under the influence of drugs increase? Are we 
willing to give roadside blood samples to the police in order to test for 
drugs?

Is it just me or do many of the pot-smoking protesters that we see on TV 
appear to be under the age of 19 years? I see kids who look 14 to 16 years 
old smoking at these hemp rallies. Do they seriously believe that if drugs 
were to be legalized that the government would set the legal age under the 
19 years currently required to drink alcohol?

As for legalizing hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and many of the now 
popular designer drugs available at local rave parties, I think people 
should talk to those on our skid row. Although I'm sure they would love 
free or inexpensive drugs to maintain their habits, many would discourage 
anyone from ever trying these drugs and regret the day they did.

People from all social backgrounds become addicted to drugs every year and 
some will lose their jobs, loved ones and even their own lives for the drug.

It's an addiction I believe society should not encourage. At the same time, 
I feel we have failed to support those who have fallen victim to these and 
other drugs. There is a great need for detox facilities and our government 
has failed to deliver on many of its promises.

With regards to immediately releasing all those convicted of non-violent 
drug offences, these individuals chose to break the law. If a dealer sells 
the product to an undercover officer and is caught, he is just as guilty as 
his supplier who may have been heavy-handed with some of his clients in 
order to assure total loyalty through intimidation and violence. Many 
choose to make quick, easy, tax-free money over working long hard hours the 
rest of us in society work. We pay high taxes to keep money flowing for 
such things as health care and education. I doubt that drug dealers declare 
their income to Revenue Canada and pay their share.

Mike Linde, Coquitlam
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