Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2008
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Rick McGlenister
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk.

RECREATIONAL DRUGS SHOULD BE CONTROLLED

The use of recreational drugs should be controlled, but not a crime.
But for now those activities are a crime and anyone who aids and abets
these activities is committing a crime. We have a problem in our
society today that some people think that in the name of safety,
health or harm reduction they can impose increasingly fascist,
totalitarian laws to curb behaviour they don't like (i.e. smoking),
but at the same time can do end runs around the laws they don't like
to support causes they do (i.e. safe injection sites).

Not only is this hypocritical behaviour but, as an attitude, it
creates and contributes to the ongoing lack of respect and adherence
to any set of rules in our society and is increasingly creating a more
intolerant society by kicking people in the teeth who are not breaking
the law and making them criminals, both socially and legally.

At the same time you're coddling people who are (by current law)
engaged in illegal activities and breaking the laws that are deemed
unjust.

To those of you who keep kicking smokers in the teeth, if you really
feel that way, make it illegal or take the time to create laws that
will allow them places to engage in their habit, just as you would
drug users. Then before you aid any more people in their criminal
activities, I want to see you fight to get these activities legalized
before you will get any support from me for your theories in helping
these substance users/abusers.

Rick McGlenister

Brantford

(Smokers and crack addicts do share the same ground, outside, in the
rain and wind and snow) 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake