Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jul 2002
Source: Cambridge Reporter, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Cambridge Reporter
Contact:  http://www.cambridge-reporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1470
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

CRACK COCAINE EASY TO DEMONIZE

It is disappointing that considering all that is known about crack cocaine, 
the drug continues to present an allure to some members - mostly young - of 
society.

Crack is a nightmare drug that is so addictive some liken heroin withdrawal 
to mere "flu-like symptoms."

Unlike heroin, which requires continual use over a period of time to create 
physical addiction, the addictiveness of crack takes over almost 
immediately. The Alcohol and Drug Addiction Foundation of Ontario estimates 
it takes an average of only three exposures to crack before its use becomes 
habitual.

This makes crack a far, far more destructive drug than marijuana, alcohol, 
methamphetamine, ecstasy or virtually any other drug available on the black 
market.

In Cambridge last week, Waterloo Regional Police cracked down on a dope 
ring that they allege was using a restaurant on Glamis Road as a front for 
crack trafficking.

Over a course of several months, police purchased $40 baggies of crack from 
the Caravan Restaurant. They busted the restaurant then swooped down on a 
related home grow operation on Carter Street, where 181 pot plants - worth 
about $1,000 a pop when mature - were seized, along with related hydroponic 
equipment and the now customary hydro bypass.

Police seemed almost blase about their day's work, no doubt realizing that 
what was grabbed last week still represents only the tip of the iceberg as 
far as local drug traffic is concerned.

Our police frequently experience the sting of criticism when they make 
marijuana busts from an increasingly vocal segment of society that is 
demanding decriminalizing, perhaps even legalizing the former demon weed. 
In the face of drug contenders such as crack, marijuana can no longer be 
demonized. Clearly as a drug it represents the threat of an Olive Oyl to 
crack's Mike Tyson, a good part of the reason why the public tends to be 
apathetic toward these police raids.

There's more crack in town than any of us would care to admit. Let's hope 
for continuing police pressure against this drug, a real evil that 
threatens our youth, even if it means relaxing the case against pot for a while.
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