Pubdate: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 Source: Clearwater Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Clearwater Times Contact: http://www.clearwatertimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1448 Author: Carl Anderson DRUG BUST DRIVES UP PRICE Reading about the local RCMP drug team being busy busting marijuana growers and dealers raised several questions. Number one, how much did these operations cost the taxpayers? The police are always beaming about plant numbers and street values, but rarely speak about the cost to the general public. Secondly, how much harm did these stings save the community of Clearwater? Using much needed resources to combat a benign plant that has never been fatal to a single person in the history of mankind seems like a wasted effort. Finally, what was the outcome on the overall scope of marijuana prohibition? These busts did have a special effect in this regard by driving up the already ridiculously inflated prices, thereby further enriching and empowering organized crime. Carl Anderson Kamloops, B.C - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake