Pubdate: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2008 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Kerry Benjoe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?233 (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?166 (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) 'FREEDOM TOUR' LEAVES ITS MARK Neil Magnuson is once again making his way across Canada to raise awareness about the dangers of drug prohibition, particularly marijuana. "Prohibition to drugs has been a complete disaster. It didn't work with alcohol and it's not working with these other substances as well," said Magnuson. The Freedom Tour rolled into Regina on Monday evening and is to leave the city today. Magnuson errected signs by Tory campaign signs to let people know about his opposition to the current government's proposed legislation on mandatory minimum sentences. It is the third time the 51-year-old has put on his in-line skates and made the trip. The annual trek kicks off in Victoria in June and ends in Ottawa for Remembrance Day. "We go to legions across Canada, we stop at the mayors' offices, the police stations, MPs' offices and the media," said Magnuson. He said there are four main messages that he stresses and the first is freedom. "The definition of freedom is the right to do or not do whatever you want to do or not want to do without any government interference, coercion or prohibition unless you unreasonably interfere with someone else," explained Magnuson. The second point he addresses is the role of the government in a free country. The third is the dangers and costs of drug prohibition. "The attempted prohibition of substances increases the demand for the substances and it creates and fuels a criminal underground to supply those substances, putting us all at great risk and accomplishing nothing," said Magnuson. He also is trying to raise awareness about the value of hemp, which serves medicinal purposes, and is also a clothing, fuel and food source. "That's essentially what the Freedom Tour is all about -- to build awareness about those issues," said Magnuson. Since starting his tour three years ago, he said, more people are aware of the issue. Magnuson is also a civilian member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), which claims to have a membership of more than 10,000. He also believes that mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences is not going to help solve the drug problem in Canada. He said Canada just has to look at the U.S. to see that such legislation does not work; instead it fills the jails with people who are not criminals. Andrew Scheer, the Conservative MP Regina Qu'Appelle, defends his party's position. "We have come up with anti-drug strategy that has a two-pronged focus. One is on getting drug users treatment, get rehabilitated so the they get the help they need so they just don't remain addicts for the rest of their lives. The second is tougher laws and tougher penalties targetted at manufacturers and traffickers," explained Scheer. He said its about cracking down on grow-ops and shutting down meth labs and dealing with those who traffic such narcotics with tougher sentences. "I think that's right in line where Canadians want us to be. I think as a parent myself I support the idea that the government and the criminal justice system treats people who try to get kids addicted to drugs much more severely than it has in the past," said Scheer. He believes that people in this province want tougher drug laws. "I went door knocking the first day of the campaign and literally the first three houses knocked on talked about their concern with grow-ops in their community and the poisonous effect that has on their community with people coming and going at all hours of the night," said Scheer. "I think even with marijuana there's a desire from the public to deal with those who traffic in it and manufacture it." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin