DON'T GIVE UP ON PROHIBITION

I applaud NOW's bravery for publishing the article Fuzz Cooling To
War On Drugs, by Gwynne Dyer (NOW, January 11-17).

I am a legal medical marijuana user due to the chronic indications of
multiple sclerosis and a terrible pain in my face 24 hours a day
caused by a condition called tic douloureux. I am also a retired law
enforcement officer and one of Canada's busiest speakers for LEAP
(Law Enforcement Against Prohibition).

I'm a perfect example of people in this country and around the world
who are caught in the middle of this catastrophic drug war. The
strain of cannabis that works best for my health has been held
hostage in the street market for the past 13 years. This, I'm sad to
say, is not unusual. I receive minimal relief unless the strain
available to me legally is coupled with more than 30 pharmaceutical
pills a day and up to 2,000 milligrams of morphine. But I won't give up.

Please help me to legalize and regulate all drugs today so that those
who are ill and vulnerable are no longer suffering and so our
children learn drugs are for adults and those who are sick, dying and
in pain. We don't have 50 years to wait.

Alison Myrden

Burlington