Pubdate: Sat, 25 Apr 2009
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Craig McCaw
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n435/a10.html

OLD FREAKS SAD AS DRUG SITUATION BECOMES TRAGEDY

Re: Portugal's experience shows decriminalization can work, Peter 
McKnight, April 18

For many, cannabis was all part of expanding the doors of perception 
that went along with the hippie movement. For me, although peace, 
love and understanding still seem like valid ideals, the 
preoccupation with psychedelia started to become a little stale by 
the mid-'70s and faded away to a happy memory along with my platform shoes.

The majority of us old freaks are saddened, however, to see that 
misunderstanding, mismanagement and gigantic profit margins have 
turned the drug situation into the tragedy it is today. Current 
events show us that the "war on drugs" is a harmful and hypocritical 
policy that failed a long time ago. Illicit drugs should be 
controlled by the government, not the gangsters.

Surely with the largest return on investment on the planet, the 
current drug/crime synergy will continue to spiral out of control 
unless we break through the Mobius strip with intelligent new ideas. 
The excellent story by Peter McKnight on the success that Portugal 
has had with its more informed approach gives us hope that a new era 
is possible.

Einstein described insanity as doing the same thing over and over 
again and expecting different results. It's time for a change.

Peace.

Craig McCaw

Vancouver
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