Pubdate: Tue, 27 Aug 2013
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: 
http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Bruce McFaul
Page: A13

WAR ON DRUGS A WASTE

Re: "Changing a law is better than flouting it," Letter, Aug. 24.

I am not a big fan of Justin Trudeau. Nor do I consider the
importation of toxic substances into one's body, be it from legal or
illegal drugs, even alcohol, exactly a wise move. However, I consider
the war on drugs an enormous waste of money. At best, it has only
stopped a few people from gaining access to poisonous products while
siphoning billions of dollars into criminal organizations which would
be far better spent, through taxation, on education, prevention and
treatment programs.

As for Tricia Wilkinson's histrionic hyperbole and derogatory
commentary on Trudeau's character, I am appalled the Herald gave
prominence to such an inane argument. I would hardly consider a few
puffs of weed in private as flouting the law, or comparing it to drunk
driving or child pornography a relevant analogy. Her suggestion those
few puffs has "addled his spoiled and entitled brain" may play well
with the anti-Liberal crowd, but such ad hominem attacks are
irrelevant to the debate on whether marijuana should be legalized.

I consider name calling the refuge of those with intellectually weak
arguments, and bullies.

Bruce McFaul, Calgary
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