Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Peace Arch News Contact: http://www.peacearchnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333 Author: Steven Faraher-Amidon DRUG PARAPHERNALIA KNEE-JERK REACTIONS NOT THE ANSWER Editor; As a parent of a child who grew up in an environment in which drug use fears have always been present, I support the intent behind White Rock Coun. Catherine Ferguson's reaction of wanting to remove drug use items. If councils in White Rock and Surrey really want to have an impact that shows we are serious about stopping drug killers, let's get at those cigarettes and alcohol. These drugs really kill people and ruin lives, to a degree, statistically speaking, much worse than anything coming out of a hash pipe. Having seen examples of facial scarring and being aware of more serious consequences from crystal meth, I understand the concerns about this drug. However, before we ban products which are legal - pipes, that is - perhaps we should look at the larger picture of how hypocritical we look to our children when we say we want to protect them from the ills of pot, hash and crystal meth, yet we sit on our hands about cigarettes and alcohol. Could it be we turn away because government gets tax revenue from these sources, while we ignore ills inherent in this prostituted way of funding provincial programs? On an immediate level, most of us likely are disgusted by the site of pipes encouraging the use of drugs. It is equally important to show respect for law and due process for all citizens. When it comes to our children, what do we really want? We want them to have a life in which they make responsible choices. We have decided, as a society, to require cigarettes and alcohol be off limits unless one is of a certain age. We have placed parameters around use and access to these items. This approach should be used with the issue of these pipes as well. Knee-jerk reactions of appal and disgust won't solve a problem that has been with us for centuries. Steven Faraher-Amidon Surrey - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman