Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jun 2007
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2007 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Tanya Derbowka

PROTECT CHILDREN BY ENDING UNPRODUCTIVE WAR ON DRUGS

The article, Drug house parents face charges (SP, June 5), 
illustrates perfectly what a complete disaster our drug policy has 
been for families.

In response to the dangers posed by "toxic marijuana grow 
operations," Alberta passed legislation that allows removing children 
from dangerous situations posed by drugs.

The Drug Endangered Children Act is a Band-Aid. If we are truly 
sincere in our desire to protect children from the dangers of a house 
full of plants, legalizing marijuana would be the best way to achieve 
that goal.

In the same way that ending the prohibition of alcohol put an end to 
stills and bootlegging, legalizing marijuana would put an end to grow-ops.

The war on drugs has made it very profitable to grow plants indoors 
under heat lamps that waste a lot of electricity. In a legal market, 
nobody would choose to grow marijuana indoors. The only way to 
eliminate the environmental impact of grow-ops is to legislate them 
out of existence.

We claim to care about children and the environment, yet the 
government continues the war on drugs. Exaggerating the risks posed 
by marijuana grow-ops gives readers what they expect in a story about 
drug house parents. But it does not tell the whole story.

There are better ways to save the children.

Tanya Derbowka

Saskatoon
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