Pubdate: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2001 Contact: P.O. Box 181, 52-66 Lower Stuart Street, Dunedin, New Zealand Website: http://www2.odt.co.nz Author: S. McIntyre Note: Headline supplied by newshawk PROHIBITION HAS MADE DRUG ACCESS EASIER "HEAR, HEAR" for Fred Fastier's comments on the failure of cannabis prohibition ( ODT , 13.3.01). Significantly, here is a man who 27 years ago recommended prohibition "only as long as this can be shown to be largely effective", yet who now realises that it "has been unsuccessful, so we must tackle the situation accordingly". To achieve the control it has "lost", our Government needs to fully regulate the production and supply of cannabis. This will reduce the price of cannabis significantly, providing no incentive for gangs to trade. The sale of cannabis to minors will be outlawed with licensed suppliers requiring proof of age to buy. Huge sums of money will be diverted away from ineffective policing to more effective drug education and rehabilitation. Make no mistake: I don't want to see high-school-age kids (or younger) smoking cannabis. Twenty years ago when I was a student it was uncommon to come across dope at school - buying it was very difficult. Nowadays, I have teenage nephews and nieces, and quite frankly the regularity and ease with which they come in contact with it (not to mention the starting age) is breathtaking. Prohibition, rather than discouraging our kids from taking drugs, only makes it easier for them. S. McIntyre Christchurch - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom