Pubdate: Tue, 02 May 2006
Source: Similkameen News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Similkameen News Leader
Contact:  http://www.thenewsleader.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4052
Author: HP Toews
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Note: Title by MAP Editor

PROHIBITION SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK

Dear Editor;

Thank you for your last editorial regarding freedom of the press and 
censorship or banning certain letters to the editor. I do not speak 
out of self interest, only against encroachment of a police state.

There are many of us in the community who do not necessarily condone 
the use of any drugs. Some of us (law abiding citizens all) think 
that the use of some drugs is okay. Then some of us realize that the 
prohibition of marijuana only perpetuates the increasing need for 
drug enforcement laws and all that it entails. We have an 
ever-increasing use of this soft drug while law enforcement tries 
unsuccessfully to keep pace.

This is a vicious circle that can only be broken with an enlightened 
attitude. Better that we should take the same approach as we do for 
tobacco where we can see that continuing education has drastically cut its use.

More jails, more people incarcerated, more policemen, more gang 
activity and more prostitution is what we are faced with when we 
criminalize the use of drugs. Too bad that the establishment can not 
learn from history that prohibition simply does not work.

Allow me to use that tired old axiom just once more, "If you do not 
learn from history you are bound to repeat it."

Thanks again for your enlightened editorial. More people should step 
up and be counted.

Sincerely,

HP Toews,

Princeton
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman