Pubdate: Fri, 07 Mar 2003
Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Airdrie Echo
Contact:  http://www.airdrieecho.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558
Author: Brian Lowe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n292/a02.html

IT'S ALL ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY

Dear Editor:

In reply to Alan Randell's letter on drug prohibition -- not too amazing
considering the geographical source!

Let's just say that a pair of mature, employed, consenting adults sitting in
the privacy of their own home smoking a joint after a hard day's work would
be completely acceptable -- but it never stops there.

The new buzzword needed in society is not "rights" but "accountability."

Hence, the stoned or drunk driver/worker always has a "right" to legal
defence but, in the very act of using that right, openly dismisses their own
accountability in the act of some other innocent person's injury or death.

Amazingly enough, the so-called drunks and potheads never have any problem
with the Hitler-like establishment providing them with EMS services,
hospital rooms and staff 24-seven when they have exercised their rights to
the limit and beyond.

If you don't want the establishment to exercise any control of your
so-called rights to addiction and substance abuse, then maybe the rest of us
hard-working taxpayers can make a new set of laws for you and all your
followers.

These might be: 

- - no more subsidized health care;
- - no more subsidized rehabilitation; and
- - let's not ever catch any of you in the offices of UIC, welfare or the food
bank. Just another point of view!

Brian Lowe
Airdrie
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MAP posted-by: Josh