Pubdate: Sat, 23 May 2009
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n519/a03.html
Author: Klaus Nenn

DECRIMINALIZATION WILL SAVE LIVES

In reference to the Tim Felger arrest for trafficking in
marijuana.

(Allegedly) dealing to kids wasn't wise, but overall I would say after
numerous discussions with the man, I believe his philosophy on the
drug wars is correct.

A huge percentage of my tax dollars are spent on a useless drug war
that was started by the very people who created the problem.

If politicians make cigarettes and glasses of wine or gin and tonics
at dinner illegal substances, we can guarantee the same liquor and
smoke war in three years.

People will drive up the demand, drive up the price and then the gangs
will surely follow.

It's a circular equation that makes no sense and only provides the
police with a bigger overtime budget.

It is an orchestrated game that guarantees massive budgets to keep
these agencies growing.

Note the picture of Felger which indicates a staged photo-op for the
police. Nothing like doing your job, of course, only if you can get
publicity for it.

What business is it of the government, especially as the right-wing
politicians agree, to be meddling in our private lives?

Who cares if a little old lady smokes a joint in her basement on a
Friday night, or snorts chilly peppers at lunch?  It's her business.

Tim Felger at the very least is a man who puts his belief on the line,
while the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who smoke in the
closet, wimp out in times when their voices need to be heard.

More have died from the gang wars over the control of weed than will
ever die from toking the weed.

I am insulted that I pay for this phoney war and that politicians
haven't the open mind to discuss real solutions.

Decriminalizing marijuana will remove the gang element and save
lives.

And if you care for your kids, do as my father did when I was growing,
he stayed on top of my activities, who I hung with and where I went.

Klaus Nenn
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake