Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2003
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Peter Money
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

ONE-THIRD of teenagers who smoke cannabis at least once a week will become 
dependent on the drug by their early 20s, according to a new study. Despite 
this, the Gallop Government intends to push ahead with the legitimising of 
cannabis.

The drug-promotion groups will continue with their push to legalise 
cannabis and eventually other drugs with disregard for the wellbeing of 
Australian youth. It is time that these groups were exposed for the 
subversive and self-interested positions that they promote. It is also time 
the media exposed the farcical argument the Gallop Government is using in 
the form of the Community Drug Summit. The Government still ignores the 
fact that the vast majority of written submissions to this summit opposed 
the Government's soft drugs policy.

The argument that police resources will be able to concentrate resources on 
drug dealers instead of smaller cannabis users and dealers does not hold 
credence. Any resources removed from the police because of the decreased 
action against smaller users will be swallowed up in the inevitable 
increase in health and mental welfare costs.

The Government is selling the community a lemon, one that will have 
devastating consequences.

PETER MONEY, Geraldton.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl