Pubdate: Sat, 16 Aug 2014
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2014 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Glen McGregor
Page: E5

DOCTORS RECONSIDER ENDORSING ANTI-POT ADS

OTTAWA - Groups that represent Canadian doctors are reconsidering 
their involvement in a government-sponsored advertising campaign on 
the dangers of marijuana for young people after Liberal Leader Justin 
Trudeau denounced the ads as a partisan attack on his position on the drug.

Health Canada had asked the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the College of Family 
Physicians of Canada to lend their endorsement to a $5-million 
broadcast campaign that would begin in the fall.

The Health Canada ads come as the Conservative Party assails Trudeau 
for supporting the legalization of marijuana.

The party has repeatedly claimed he would make it easier for children 
to get the drug.

At least two of the physicians' groups are now reconsidering their 
commitment to participate after the Ottawa Citizen reported this week 
about concerns that the nonpartisan organizations could be drawn into 
the politically charged debate over marijuana policy.

The Royal College said in a statement Friday that it is reconsidering 
its involvement after initially agreeing to participate.

"In light of the campaign evolving into a political debate about 
Canada's marijuana policy, the Royal College is currently assessing 
its participation," said the organization's president, Dr. Andrew Padmos.

"We do not support or endorse any political campaigns on this issue 
and will comment further on our future involvement once a decision 
has been reached."

Padmos said the Royal College was focused only on providing "advice 
about the health risks around prescription drug and marijuana 
consumption by young people."

The College of Family Physicians of Canada said Friday its 
involvement was now "being discussed."

The CMA said this week that it hadn't made a decision on whether it 
would participate. The association, which represents 80,000 Canadian 
physicians, is expected to issue a statement Saturday after its board 
of directors considers the matter further. The CMA is holding its 
annual meeting next week and medical marijuana is on the agenda.

Health Canada had asked the groups only to review the ads for 
accuracy and agree to have their logos appear by way of endorsement.

In Saskatoon on Thursday, Trudeau spoke out against Health Canada's 
plan for the ad campaign.

Trudeau said he wants to control and regulate the drug to keep it 
away from children.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom