Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jul 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Laurel Jones

WAR ON DRUGS SENDS THE RIGHT MESSAGE

When people say the war on drugs is "utterly useless," there is a 
very important aspect we need to consider.

The war on drugs sends a clear message to our children that drug use 
and drug trafficking are abhorrent.

I'm nervous about what the consequences would be if we were no longer 
sending out that societal message via the legal system.

Having said that, I think we should consider legalizing marijuana.

If it was legal, the government could control the crop and purchasers 
could be sure it was not being sprayed with crystal meth or other chemicals.

Perhaps the profit the government could make from selling marijuana 
could be used to treat addictions to such drugs as crystal meth, 
heroin and crack cocaine.

Legalizing drugs is a very complex issue. I am not generally in 
favour of legalization, but in the case of marijuana, since it is 
relatively benign, perhaps the benefits would be worth it.

Laurel Jones,

Esquimalt.
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