SENSIBLE WORDS

HOORAY! At last a commentary on cannabis law reform (editorial, June 8)
that is sensible and non-emotive.

"Part of the meaning of the word adult is self-responsibility" hit many
nails on the head. For example: $20 million or more spent every year on
policing cannabis and arresting (mainly) individuals possessing only a
small amount is a shocking waste of taxpayers' money. This figure fails to
include the approximately equal amount spent on court and prison costs.

Drug education programmes in schools are underfunded and dangerously
one-sided. Recent studies question whether they consequently do more harm
than good!

Legalise cannabis and $40 million could go into decent drug programmes for
our kids. Take the huge profit margin out of the black market that often
targets our teenagers, and which provides the link between cannabis and
other drugs.

S. McINTYRE
Christchurch