DRUG PROBLEM IS SERIOUS

The Editor:

In the Dec. 3 edition of the Times, letter-writer Bruce Symington
takes me to task for stressing that we must protect our youth from
drugs, even at a high cost.

He has reinforced my thinking that drugs must not be legalized. I
don't know where he got his information on the seven-to-one ratio
police costs over harm reduction.

The best way to keep our youth drug-free is the involvement of
parents. Surveys show that parents are the biggest influence in their
children's decisions about drug use. Parents must actively engage
their children and help them make healthy decisions.

I would be interested in hearing how Symington counsels or has
counselled his children to encourage them to stay off drugs.

There is a serious drug problem in this country.

Marijuana is a much bigger portion of this problem than most people
realize.

In the U.S., more young people are now in treatment for marijuana
dependency than for alcohol or for all other illegal drugs combined.

Of all teenagers in drug treatment, about 60 per cent have a primary
marijuana diagnosis.

The average age of initiation for marijuana use generally has been
getting younger.

In 2001, 84 per cent reported first using marijuana between ages of 12
and 17.

Are the above not reasons to keep our youth drug-free?

Parents, schools, community and police must all work together to solve
the youth drug problem.

In another letter, Peter Christopher would like to know where I get my
facts. Much of it comes from mfiles.org, lifesite.net, Drug
Enforcement Administration [DEA], where they show their sources.

Christopher also seems to feel that legalizing drugs would keep them
out of the hands of youth.

How has this worked out with tobacco and alcohol?

Would not the criminal element switch their target to our
youth?

Let's think again.

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford