Pubdate: Fri, 21 May 2010
Source: Columbia Valley Pioneer, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 The Columbia Valley Pioneer
Contact: http://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/contact.html#letter
Website: http://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4207
Author: Marko Shehovac

RCMP DEFENDS LETTER WRITER IN POT DEBATE

Dear Editor:

In the last while we reported on some of our drug seizures and it has
seemed to catch North Americans attention, resulting in numerous
responses from many that want to see the laws change in regard to marijuana.

Some people have been more vocal than others.

It's nice to see people are interested in what's happening in the
valley. It seems Mr. Shier, who commented in support of our efforts,
is being attacked from all sides. So, I would like to set a few things
straight.

The phrase "war on drugs" is not mine. The only war is the fighting
our soldiers are doing overseas that, to date, has cost 143 young
Canadian lives.

Any discussion of marijuana is going to elicit strong debate over its
negative or positive effects. I have been reading some of the comments
from those who support the legalization of marijuana - from the
medical point of view to the biblical - and the comments from those
that just like to stay high for the sake of being high.

The product of marijuana grow operations, outside of medical licences,
is sold for profit. We have taken down grow operations inside homes
where children are living. No big deal right? Their parents want to
take this on and it's a game of catch-me-if-you-can. Right now, our
focus is to catch you, and if it is confirmed there are children in
the house - who are not able to make safe choices for themselves and
depend on the adults to keep them safe - it's not viewed as a game for
us.

Profit takes priority with some people over the safety of children.
When we become aware of a grow operation and confirm there are
children in the house, it's just an added incentive for us. I have
seen electrical nightmares that cause us to fear for our own safety,
not just the children's. Chemicals are usually found throughout the
house. Fire becomes a higher possibility.

The possibility of home invasion for the drugs and money exposes the
children to even more danger. The greatest potential for danger comes
in the first few minutes of a drug search entry by the police. The
entry can be dynamic and we prepare for the worst case scenario.

Is it a victimless crime? A great deal of the crime in the valley is
attributed to drugs and alcohol dependencies and craving. If you think
thefts occur just to support cocaine or alcohol habits and not
marijuana, think again. We have dealt with numerous people involved in
the drug culture who steal regularly to support their marijuana habit.
If they don't pay off a drug debt, we deal with the assaults and
threats that result.

We have even documented assaults on people growing medical marijuana.
True, alcohol is more often the cause in many violent incidents.
Families are often victims when dealing with youth and marijuana. In
most cases, it's just part of growing up and fades away with time.

And to conclude this with a bang, here is a statistic often quoted by
supporters of legalization: "Recent studies show daily users
experience less 'impairment' than casual users. Studies also show pot
users drive slower and more cautiously than non-users."

As most people know, if I can find humour in something I will run with
it. The quote above is great material; I will save it for another
time, but if you are looking for proof that long-term marijuana use
destroys brain cells, that quote does it for me.

Staff Sergeant Marko Shehovac

RCMP Columbia Valley Detachment 
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