Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 Source: Alberni Valley Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Alberni Valley Times Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouverisland/albernivalleytimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4043 Author: Russell Barth Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n020/a07.html DON'T TRUST HORSEMEN WHEN IT COMES TO DRUGS Re: RCMP offer drug info session, (Alberni Valley Time, Jan. 6). Police routinely lie and exaggerate the so called "dangers" of drug use, so anyone looking to the Horsemen for "truth" about drugs or drug use is sadly misguided. How many times do you have to be lied to before you smarten up? Hundreds of times, apparently. The Horsemen are the last people anyone should be asking for honest and factual drug information. There is also a misconception in our society that suggests that only drug-abstinence is to be encouraged and admired. Telling kids to "never" use certain drugs is like telling them to never see a certain genre of movie, never go to an amusement park or exotic country, or never do anything at all that may be both risky and fun. It teaches them to be afraid of new things, instead of curious, and as history has shown, fortune favours the adventurous. Sensible, moderate, well-informed drug use is no more harmful, dangerous, or immoral than any one of dozens of other activities humans participate in every day. And if you think "drugs" have nothing good to offer society, then throw away every CD you own. For those keen on teaching kids about drugs without all the hyperbole, spin, sloganeering, and bald-faced lies of the standard "education" programs, I recommend the Canadian Students For Sensible Drug Policy website at ( http://www.cssdp.org ), the Educators For Sensible Drug Policy website at ( http://www.efsdp.org ), or the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition website at ( http://www.leap.cc ). Russell Barth Federally licensed medical marijuana use, drug reform analyst and consultant, Educators for Sensible Drug Policy - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D