Pubdate: Tue, 21 Mar 2006
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2006 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Mitch Tarala
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DRUG PROHIBITION GIVES GANGS LIFE

Recently the newly elected Conservative government has announced it
will not put forward or support any legislation intended to "loosen"
pot laws.

By supporting the prohibition of drugs, the Conservative party also
supports crime. Prohibition of drugs gives control of the drug trade
to the criminal underworld and creates a black market where prices can
be inflated thousands of times over, leaving the gangs with huge profits.

By tougher enforcement, the Conservatives only increase funding for
gangs and criminal organizations and this will only result in more
crime.

More enforcement will make the price for drugs go up, and give the
criminals all the more reason to shoot and stab one another. The only
real solution to the gang and drug problems is to completely legalize
and regulate drugs.

Legalizing drugs would effectively stamp out organized crime, lower
addiction rates, keep drugs out of the hands of children, and remove
the fear of receiving the much feared "meth laced pot". A government
supporting prohibition is a government supporting crime and that
cannot be tolerated.

Mitch Tarala

Martensville
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MAP posted-by: Tom