Pubdate: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 Date: 11/20/2000 Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC) Author: Sidney Bowles Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1717/a08.html?22826 To the Editor: Re: Marijuana candidate puts high school in tough position, (NDN Friday Nov.17, 2000) It is interesting to read, from a distance, the concerns of the locals, of whom I was once one. As a graduate of L.V. Rogers Senior Secondary School, I was exposed to as much of the drug culture as could be offered to "vulnerable" pre-voting age students. I did not feel the need to participate in drug use, and even though many of my contemporaries chose to do so, I felt that it was simply a form of "escapism" from the daily challenges of life. I am of the belief that the political forum should proceed with all parties present, including the Marijuana Party, as the students have likely already made up their minds whether or not they would be "users" or "non-users" of cannabis. The messages will therefore not likely be "mixed messages," but will hopefully be informative in nature. Let democracy have its proper place in our society. Sidney Bowles, LVR Class of 1969 Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan