Pubdate: Wed, 24 Feb 2010
Source: Burnaby Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.burnabynow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1592
Author: Eva Derton
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n132/a06.html?1216

WHO'S WEARING BLINDERS

Dear Editor:

Re: PM needs to answer questions, In My Opinion, Burnaby NOW, Feb. 17.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper went to Victoria to address the members 
of the legislative assembly, not to visit with Keith Baldrey.

If Mr. Baldrey wants to have his questions answered, he is free to 
write to the Prime Minister's Office.

But he should pay attention to the wording of his letter, because 
what he calls "ideological blinkers" are actually sound moral principles.

As a reporter, Mr. Baldrey should know that these principles, which 
form the foundation of Canada's national anti-drug strategy, include 
being compassionate with people who are suffering from drug addiction 
while helping them to kick their destructive habit, preventing our 
youth from becoming hooked on illicit drugs, and being tough with the 
criminals who produce and push these dangerous drugs on our streets.

Assisting desperate people to inject street-obtained poisons into 
their veins is not a way to improve their health. Such misguided 
approach harms the user and the community.

Mr. Baldrey is the one who does not see past his own ideological blinkers.

He has abandoned common sense by encouraging drug abuse and 
supporting behaviour that, in spite of his questionable statistics, 
cannot possibly reduce drug-related crime.

Eva Derton,
Burnaby 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart