Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jan 2006
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2006 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Victor Daveikis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DON'T BLAME DRUG USERS

Re: Unclean Hands, letter to the editor, Jan. 3.

Letter writer Peter Strachan states that people who use drugs are 
partly responsible for the tragic death of Jane Creba because they 
create the demand that leads to gangs controlling the drug trade. 
This narrow focus needs to be widened. The gang that is responsible 
for the most death, mayhem and misery arising from drug use collect 
their protection money every week from your paycheque -- this gang is 
our own government.

Alcohol and tobacco are responsible for far more deaths each year 
than all illegal drugs combined. By outlawing some drugs and 
legalizing others, this elected gang of ours automatically creates 
the black market that will be serviced by other smaller gangs that 
weren't voted into office. The most effective way to get rid of the 
smaller gangs is to legalize and control all drugs.

And while we're at it, let's legalize prostitution as well, to take 
advantage of that income stream.

In closing, it is not so much the recreational drug users that bear 
the responsibility in Jane's death -- they did not create and 
maintain the environment of illegality around drugs. That burden 
falls directly upon the shoulders of the elected gang in Ottawa.

Victor Daveikis

Waterloo, Ont.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman