Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jun 2001
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349
Author: S. McIntyre

CANNABIS CONTROL

Sir--The $101 million spent by the police on cannabis enforcement between 
1995 and 2000 (May 29) could have been used instead to provide schools with 
decent drug education rather than sniffer dogs, or rehabilitation for 
problem users rather than imprisonment.

Nandor Tanczos is correct when he says that prohibition is failing to 
reduce cannabis abuse. The statistics for cannabis use by minors continue 
to rise annually, while the starting age for smoking seems to be dropping.

Rather than imprisoning smokers, let us treat cannabis abusers within the 
health system. Rather than allow a completely unregulated black market to 
target and supply our teenagers, let us take charge of the situation and 
allow licensed outlets to sell only to ID-carrying adults.

S. McINTYRE
May 30, 2001
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MAP posted-by: Beth