Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2003 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: J. Ann Ross USE MONEY FOR DRUG EDUCATION It appears that many are highly unimpressed with our prime minister's decision to decriminalize marijuana use in Canada. For all intents and purposes (a non-user and non-condoner myself), I can empathize with people's disapproval. However, I don't necessarily see this decision as an entirely bad one. The fact of the matter is that personal possession of marijuana for individual consumption is still illegal for everyone, and those who disobey the law will be punished accordingly. This message remains unchanged. I don't see it as inevitable that decriminalization will result in an increase in young people (or others) choosing to use. There are likely many reasons why people use marijuana -- desire to and availability no doubt among these. So, in addition to decriminalizing marijuana possession for personal use, the Liberals want to redirect resources (i.e. taxpayers' dollars) toward developing preventive programs aimed at youth, and to punish the dealers and traffickers with harsher sentences. I may be completely off in my assessment of what the changes in law amount to, but I feel that the implementation of prevention drug programs and the utilization of police and Crown resources for the aforesaid goals will do much more to address the issue of illicit marijuana use than targeting adult recreational users for expensive and unnecessary criminal court processing -- a huge waste of time and resources. J. ANN ROSS Winnipeg - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens