Pubdate: Sun, 20 Apr 2003
Source: Sunday Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact: http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/letters/letters.html
Website: http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/438
Author: Brian Tennant
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

NOT THE SOFT OPTION

I respond to Liam Bartlett's column "Dopy debate helps nobody" (TST, April 
13), particularly the last two paragraphs: "The Government argues it is on 
the right track because under the new laws cannabis will remain 
illegal.  But when it comes to explaining how the changes will make life 
better, they are not (according to Liam) convincing..."

Firstly, the Opposition has an ethical problem.  During the WA Community 
Drug Summit, it said it would support the summit's process and 
decisions.  The police supported the summit's thinking on cannabis.

The messages to young people from the proposed changes will be:

*  They can be honest in a classroom or family discussion without being 
seen as a criminal
*  If they are experimenting socially a lifelong criminal conviction is an 
over-reaction
*  If they use too many drugs because of emotional problems, society wants 
to alleviate those, not add to them

The Opposition must stop claiming the new law is "soft on drugs" and look 
at who is being soft on the criminal black market and soft on police 
corruption.

BRIAN TENNANT, Subiaco
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager