Pubdate: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2002 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Tom Blackwell POT WORSE THAN ALCOHOL, HARPER SAYS BARRIE, Ont. - Stephen Harper, the Canadian Alliance leader, accused a Senate committee yesterday of all but encouraging marijuana use, and said he would personally worry more about his children smoking pot than imbibing alcohol. Mr. Harper condemned the committee's report, saying it underlines the need for an elected upper House that would be accountable for its actions. The report, released this week, concluded marijuana is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco and proposed the drug be legalized. "It is not simply that I think the recommendations are fairly radical.... They border almost on advocating use of marijuana," the official Opposition leader said on the second day of an Alliance caucus retreat here. "I've got to say as a parent that I simply don't share the view that alcohol is more harmful than marijuana. "As a parent, I would be more concerned about pot use than alcohol use by my children, even in moderation." He said he reached his conclusions from observation, not personal experience. As an asthmatic, the Alliance chief said he has never smoked any substance, legal or otherwise. Addiction experts note alcohol abuse is responsible for thousands of ruined lives, injuries and death through its social, health and driving-related effects. It is not an issue Mr. Harper is likely to have to tackle on the home front soon; his children are five and three. Mr. Harper also suggested yesterday Canada should remain open-minded about taking part in an invasion of Iraq. He also said he will not release the names of his leadership-campaign donors until the government passes a law making it mandatory for everyone to do so. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart