Pubdate: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 Source: Georgia Straight, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2013 The Georgia Straight Contact: http://www.straight.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1084 Author: Anthony Lui REEFER MADNESS AND A CALL TO EXPAND THE WAR ON DRUGS WHAT DRUG ADDICTS need most is rehabilitation, not legalization of more drug use ["Activists want citizens to dump prohibition", July 25-August 1]. What their families treasure most is how their loved ones can rid themselves of the curse of drug addiction. What the taxpayers expect most is that their tax money not be spent on the indulgence of more drug dependence, causing ruin to more precious lives. The tragic death of Cory Monteith is another warning to us. Dancing with drugs is just like sleeping with a poisonous snake. You simply don't know when that fatal bite will strike! The crime of selling marijuana to students is rampant at school playgrounds. Kids in elementary grades have been exposed to marijuana. Governments should work together to stop the recruitment of novice addicts. Drug traffickers should get the punishment commensurate with the seriousness of their crime. NGOs should be invited to contribute in various cost-effective rehabilitation programs. International cooperation to combat drug syndicates should be stepped up. Our government needs to adopt a three-pronged strategy with balanced emphasis on rehabilitation, prevention, and education. Marijuana is known as the "gateway drug" leading to more hard-drug use. Winning the battle against marijuana addiction will lay down a solid foundation for us to win in the entire war against drugs. Anthony Lui North Delta - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom