Pubdate: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Barry Joneson DON'T PANDER TO ADDICTS Granted, the war on drugs hasn't been met with a whole lot of success, but drug legalization, based on past history, will be even less effective and will lead to a rise in drug-related problems. In our country, the financial cost of dealing with alcohol and tobacco, two legal drugs, surpass the costs associated with all other illegal drugs combined. The perception that government and society condone drug use by making drugs legal does far more damage to society, particularly to our youth who are influenced by perceptions. Pandering to addicts who have no desire to be responsible members of society is misguided. Barry Joneson Burnaby - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman