Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jul 2013
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Judith Renaud
Page: 9
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n338/a06.html

WISER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE

Editor:

Re: Prescription for a failed drug policy (Coast Reporter health column, 
July 12).

Thanks to Dr. Paul Martiquet for reinforcing what Educators for
Sensible Drug Policy have been saying for decades. Inherent in this,
politicians must stop inventing the facts to justify failed drug
policies and begin to create drug policy based on the facts.

Aboriginal adults accounted for 33 per cent of prison admissions, many
of them as non-violent drug offenders. As well, the "from school to
prison pipeline" must be stopped.

Drug education is critical to improving the social strength of our
communities, and prison should not be the new classroom for young Canadians.

I am proud to be a member of a community that talks about social
issues, acts on their beliefs through political parties and volunteers
their services.

The Sunshine Coast is becoming politically involved, and collectively
this makes us stronger, wiser and more compassionate.

Judith Renaud, executive director of Educators for Sensible Drug
Policy
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MAP posted-by: Matt