Pubdate: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC) Copyright: 2000 Comox Valley Record Contact: Box 3729, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 7P1 Fax: (250) 338-5568 Author: Alan Randell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1670/a01.html ENFORCEMENT NOT THE ONLY STRATEGY Sir, Re Editorial disappointing: RCMP, Oct. 27 Small wonder Barry Schneider, the RCMP's Drug Co-ordinator for Central/North Vancouver Island protests so vigorously your editorial putting forward the position that arresting people for what they choose to ingest is a grievous attack on individual liberty and a failing strategy besides. If drugs were legalized, Schneider would have to get a real police job protecting the public rather than wasting his time, and ours, trying to justify our shameful and oppressive drug laws. Mr. Schneider states that enforcement is only one strategy in an effective multi-faceted approach to drugs. I totally disagree. It is only when we legalize drugs and remove enforcement from the picture altogether that the other approaches of prevention, education etc stand a chance of being successful. Of course we must punish those who harm others while under the influence of drugs, but that does not mean that we must punish everyone who ingests drugs. Whether or not an individual is under the influence of a drug, if no one else is directly harmed, he or she has the right to be left alone. Alan Randell - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D