Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jul 2001
Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Contact:  http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260
Author: Chris Buors

PARENTS, NOT POLICE SHOULD EDUCATE THEIR OWN CHILDREN ABOUT 'EVILS' OF 
USING DRUGS

Editor:

The idea that the police as agents of the state teach the children lessons 
best left to parents is disturbing.

Police subtly exert influence, the arguments made by police start with the 
idea that ceremonial drug use is "evil" and ought to be stamped out.

That idea is not shared across the political spectrum.

Those of us who admire Thomas Jefferson, John Stuart Mill and Milton 
Friedman, are believers in the classical liberal view that the state has no 
right to interfere in the drugs or the diet of a free man.

Dangerous drugs is a political designation.

All drugs are combinations of chemicals found on the periodic tables. None 
have any supernatural forces of allurement.

Addictions do not meet the nosology of disease and are based on junk science.

On final analysis that the police are demonizing a certain segment of the 
population is a misuse of authority.

The police in a free country should protect us from force or fraud.

I don't see them getting involved in the abortion debate, I do not see them 
expressing their views on social medicine or the idea of home schooling, 
why then should the police all of a sudden become wise and virtuous when it 
comes to drugs.

We would not think it was a meritorious idea to have the police speak on 
any other political issue in our schools, so having them teach drug 
education makes about as much sense as having them teach sex education.

The police have no role to play in the soul saving business.

Chris Buors Winnipeg, Man.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager