Pubdate: Tue, 05 Feb 2002
Source: Ladysmith-Chemanius Chronicle (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 BC Newspaper Group & New Media
Contact:  http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1279
Author: Kevin Allan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

POLICE ARE PART OF POT PROBLEM

Editor:

RE: RCMP Const. Brian Nightingale's comments, (Hotboxing reaching new 
highs, Jan. 22).

Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol usually drive slowly to 
avoid detection because their reaction time has slowed down, he said. 
"Stoned drivers are more aggressive than drunk drivers," he said.

The problem here is we have police who are experts in crime pretending to 
be experts with drug use.

 From what I have read, Const. Nightingale is actually going to cause more 
havoc to your community if he continues to tell youth that driving under 
the influence of the drug alcohol is safer than driving under the influence 
of marijuana.

I have never read a study that has stated this (except for RCMP documents). 
On the contrary, they all state the opposite.

The reason is because alcohol is a drug that has the highest intoxication. 
That's why alcohol kills about six times more youth than all illicit drugs 
combined.

I suggest that one of the reasons youth choose marijuana over alcohol is 
that alcohol isn't sold in the schools. It is easier to get (because of 
prohibition). If it's not in the stores, its in the schools.

Telling youth not to drive under the influence of marijuana is one thing 
but telling youth alcohol is safe or safer is dangerous and misleading and 
may be negligent in my opinion. It's time to stop all the lies, myths and 
propaganda. It's not the police's job. Why do they do it?

Kevin Allan, North Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jackl