Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2008 Source: Georgia Straight, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 The Georgia Straight Contact: http://www.straight.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1084 Author: Bert Massiah LEGALIZATION, CONTROL OF DRUGS ONLY SOLUTION I want to commend the Georgia Straight for the range of articles that you have published related to the terrible carnage caused by drug addiction and related criminal activity. I have been involved in the world of addiction, mental health, and corrections for much of my life. I have come to the conclusion that the only way for us to go, as a society, is to implement the full and total legalization of all addictive substances. We need a government that is intelligent and courageous enough to legalize all addictive substances, develop clear and enforceable regulations for the production, distribution, and sale of these substances, while at the same time introducing an effective and comprehensive educational program as to the effects of this misuse-and, of course, a range of comprehensive treatment programs. Anything else is, at the best, only a stopgap measure. Bert Massiah Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake