Pubdate: Mon, 24 Dec 2012 Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 Dan Seymour Contact: http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679 Author: Dan Seymour DRUG USERS SHOULD PAY HEALTH-CARE COSTS Should marijuana be legalized? As an individual I have no problem with legalizing marijuana. Let the government grow it, tax it, and sell it to those that find it necessary to live their life. I do not think it is my position to tell people what they can and cannot consume. If you want to poison yourself, far be it from me to stop you. What I object to is paying these individuals with my tax dollars for welfare, income assistance, housing allowance, health-related problems, etc. When people make the decision to take a drug they should be responsible for the problems it brings. Florida was the first state to introduce welfare drug-testing legislation and in the last year 25 other states have followed. We made a mistake with alcohol and smoking by not having some type of control, for those who consume in excess, we have accepted them into our entitlement society and have paid dearly. We should not make the same mistake with marijuana or any other drug. If the governments gives you the right to smoke it, it should not give you the right to make me pay for the problems you have brought unto yourself. Drug testing should be mandatory for any entitlement. Dan Seymour Kamloops - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D