Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jul 2001
Source: Goldstream Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Goldstream Gazette
Contact:  http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291
Author: Alan Randell
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1318/a11.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DRUG PROSECUTION IS JUST ABOUT MORAL PERSECUTION

Re: Pot keeps cops in fighting shape, July 18. Instead of just standing 
there with their tape recorders running and their minds anything but, why 
didn't your reporters ask the police officers a few pertinent questions 
like these?

1. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms seems to imply that citizens have the 
right to pursue their own form of happiness so long as they hurt no one 
else. Thus, it seems Canadians have the right to ingest any drug, however 
harmful. Why does the government feel it has the right to punish 
individuals for what they choose to ingest into their own bodies?

2. If drugs are banned because they are harmful to users, why, then, are 
tobacco and alcohol not banned? Doesn't this seem unfair to those who 
prefer illegal drugs? If we ban one harmful drug, shouldn't we ban all 
harmful drugs?

3. The 1973 Le Dain Commission concluded, "There appears to be little 
permanent physiological damage from chronic use of pure opiate narcotics." 
Why, then, ban heroin?

4. If prohibition is so great, why did America give up on prohibition?

5. I've been told that police officers support laws like our drug laws 
because they increase crime and hence police budgets and police power. In 
fact, I'm told they would be in seventh heaven if tobacco and/or alcohol 
were banned. Would you care to comment?

6. Is it your position that the police are duty bound to enforce any law no 
matter how unjust? Perhaps I should remind you that Adolph Eichmann 
protested he was simply following orders when he assisted in implementing 
Hitler's Final Solution for the Jews, but the Israelis hung him anyway. Did 
Eichmann get a raw deal in your estimation?

For what it's worth, here is my position on drug prohibition. There is no 
more reason to punish drug users and dealers today than there was in the 
past to hang witches, lynch blacks or gas Jews.

By Alan Randell,  Saanich
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager