Pubdate: Mon, 20 Feb 2012
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Robert Sharpe, Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy. 
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n130/a09.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n135/a04.html

POT PREFERRED

Re: "Where does bizarre crime fixation of Conservatives come from?" Michael Den Tandt, Opinion, Feb. 15.

Tories seeking to emulate the tough-on-some-drugs policies of Canada's
southern neighbour can expect similar results. Despite zero tolerance,
more U.S. teenagers use marijuana than tobacco.

Tobacco use has declined considerably in Canada and the U.S. Public
education has proven more effective than mass incarceration. 

The decline in highly addictive tobacco use was accomplished without 
any need to jail smokers or further enrich cartels via tobacco prohibition.

The drug war has done little other than give the U.S. the highest
incarceration rate in the world.

Robert Sharpe

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.