Pubdate: Sat, 10 Feb 2007
Source: Liberal, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR-News/Newscentre/The-Liberal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2347
Author: M. Elena Smith
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

LEGALIZING POT ONLY REAL SOLUTION

Re: Tougher laws needed to prevent children from living in drug dens, 
editorial, Feb. 1.

Your editorial claims additional laws will "help ensure children are 
protected".

If only it was that easy.

The laws we have now and all that police activity are not ensuring 
protection for our neighbourhoods or our children.

Adding more laws will not work simply because the root of the problem 
is not addressed.

Prohibition does not work but it does waste law enforcement 
resources, human and monetary. In fact, during Prohibition people drank more.

We must do two things:

legalize and control drugs;

educate.

Look at the evidence -- smoking is down because of education and 
controlling where one can smoke. Anything else makes absolutely no sense.

M. Elena Smith

Richmond Hill
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman