Pubdate: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Parksville Qualicum Beach News Contact: http://www.pqbnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1354/a09.html Author: Chris Buors KUDOS TO COLUMN ON DRUG LAWS How nice it was to read Neil Horner's take on Stephen Harper's reinvigoration of Brian Mulroney's biggest failure; the reinvigoration of Richard Nixon's failure to win the war on drugs. A redoubling of efforts has been the only solution politicians ever come up with when faced with the manifestations of their predecessors failures when moral righteousness drives the issue. The tried and true formula for putting criminals out of business is a repeal of prohibition; it worked for alcohol. Bootleggers went the way of the Dodo bird and so did all the police who busted stills in the past. I never thought I say hats off to anyone who took their hat off to the federal Conservative government drug prohibition policy, but hats off to Neil Horner who drove home some very salient points about the economic interests of the entrenched interests. Just wanted to mention that one of the unintended consequences of Stephen Harper's new hard on vice bill will be a retirement of mom and pop operators and a rise in an element more hardened by the system Brian Mulroney endorsed. In time, Stephen Harper policy will deliver an even more hardened element to our doorsteps too. Canadians could do without these benefits by repealing drug prohibition and putting the whole kit and caboodle under regulation. We have the alcohol and tobacco model that already regulate two of the most deadly and dangerous drugs known to humanity. We know better than to put those products into the hands of criminals. Chris Buors Winnipeg, Manitoba - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake