Pubdate: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: R. Desrosiers Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) POLICE BENIFIT FROM PROHIBITION Is anyone surprised that the Canadian Police Association is appalled at the Senate report on legalizing marijuana? You state that $1.5 billion a year is spent on drug enforcement, and one-third of that on pot. Much of a police department's budget depends on pot remaining illegal. A CPA spokesman is quoted as saying legalization would be a "back-to-school gift for drug pushers." How is this so? Legalization would put pot pushers out of business overnight. Have you ever seen or heard of shady characters trying to push alcohol or cigarettes on street corners and school yards? Ever wonder why? R. Desrosiers (Ever consider that too many kids abuse cigarettes and alcohol as it is - they don't need to add pot to the mix?) - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager