Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2007
Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Contact:  http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n540/a11.html
Author: Russell Barth
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

NEW LEGISLATION NEEDED

Editor:

Re: New epidemic strikes young teens, Feedback, the Observer, April 29.

When one considers junk food will kill many times more Canadians than 
all illegal drugs combined, it is difficult to think of meth as the 
epidemic it has been hyped into. Obesity and diabetes are the real 
epidemics in Canada, yet junk food is sold in many schools.

It should also be noted it is the government's criminal prohibition - 
designed to keep drugs away from everyone - that is making drugs like 
meth so easy for youth to access.

If these drugs were regulated and quality controlled, youth would 
have far less access, and those that sought them out would at least 
be using safer drugs.

If I am wrong, then, by that same logic, alcohol should be 
re-criminalized, because it has been historically, scientifically, 
and statistically proven to be one of the most dangerous drugs available.

For those keen on educating youth about drugs - without all the 
fear-mongering, hyperbole, and absurd hypocrisy of the standard "drug 
education" programs - I recommend the Educators For Sensible Drug 
Policy Web site at www.efsdp.org.

Russell Barth

Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman