Pubdate: Fri, 20 Sep 2013
Source: Nelson Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4866
Author: Dawn Rodman
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n469/a10.html

LEGALIZATION IS MUCH TOO COSTLY

Before signing a petition to legalize marijuana in BC, (Nelson Star, 
September 11, 2013), people should consider the cost of keeping 
marijuana illegal as compared to the cost likely to be incurred in 
the future should it be legalized. We can learn from the impact on 
society of legalizing alcohol, a drug.

MADD Canada estimates there are approximately 1,500 alcohol 
impairment-related crash fatalities in Canada each year (four deaths 
per day). A total of 175 individuals are injured every day and 578 
vehicles (not involved in death or injury) are damaged every day due 
to alcohol impairment. Every year, MADD provide services to 20,000 
victims of impaired driving. The federal Ministry of Transportation 
has estimated that the cost of impaired driving in Canada in one year 
is $21 billion.

Using a 2009 Vancouver gang war article, one can estimate 240 deaths, 
and 640 injuries from marijuana gang crime in a year in Canada. On 
average, there are one or two innocent bystander deaths each year. 
National Anti-Drug Strategy figures indicate an annual budget of $88 
million to enforce criminalization of marijuana.

Let's compare deaths: legalized drug use (alcohol), 1,500 deaths, is 
six times deadlier than illegal drug use (marijuana), at 240 deaths.

Let's compare costs: legalized drug use (alcohol), $21 billion, is 
239 times more costly than illegal drug use (marijuana) at $88 million.

The study, "Acute Cannabis Consumption and Motor Vehicle Collision 
Risk: Systematic Review of Observational Studies and Meta-analysis" 
(British Medical Journal, 2012), indicated that driving under the 
influence of cannabis was associated with a 92 per cent increased 
risk of vehicular crashes. Important is the fact that such driving 
was associated with a 110 per cent increase in fatal crashes.

Do the comparisons and recognize that the cost of marijuana 
legalization is too high.

When I see these figures, I am MADD dammit!

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Don't Allow Marijuana Motoring Idiots Too!

Dawn Rodman

Nelson
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