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
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman