GOING OVERBOARD

Wow, Mr. Larsen, talk about overreacting to a different opinion ["Begs to
differ," Letters, April 18].

Toxic herbicide raids? Military machines? Nowhere in our letter did we
state we were for or against the so-called "war on drugs." Nor did we
comment on medicinal marijuana. We assure you that we are well aware of
the various drug prevention and treatment strategies being used by Canada
and the United States, as well as other parts of the world.

LEAD (Let's Education About Drugs) members are, contrary to your opinion,
informed about the negative health effects caused by marijuana. On our
committee we have drug and alcohol prevention specialists, treatment
specialists, counsellors, parents, and a police officer. Many on the
committee have seen first-hand how marijuana has negatively affected their
loved ones and/or the people they work with.

The LEAD committee receives tremendous support by many in the community,
both in the way of financial and volunteer help. Drug use is a serious
health concern to the youth of our community, as indicated in the most
recent McCreary Adolescent Health Survey and the Youth Health Forum held
here in Powell River.

It also ranked among the top three health issues in a health survey done by
the Coast Garibaldi Health Region with the public in the Sea to Sky,
Sunshine Coast, and Powell River areas. With the support we receive and the
obvious concern raised by the public, we are inspired to continue
delivering health information with regard to the use of marijuana and other
drugs in our community.

LEAD Committee Susan Hill, Lana Blair, Scott MacLeod, Cindy Smith, Terry
Ewan, Marianne Smisko, Cindy Edwards