DRUG LAWS PENALIZE THE SICK

Editor:

I am a legal marijuana patient in Canada due to the chronic
indications of multiple sclerosis and a terrible pain in my face 24
hours a day 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 applaud The Herald's bravery on publishing the article To win, call
a truce on the war on drugs, Jan. 7, by Gwynne Dyer. Gwynne
interviewed some very powerful people. Jack Cole has been my
inspiration in this movement, asking me to join LEAP over two and a
half years ago. What an incredible mentor!

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

As the laws in our country stand right now, a child has easier access
to any illicit drug before their related adults members and before
the sick and dying people who desperately need them. What pray tell,
could be wrong with this?

Legalize and regulate all drugs today so our ill and vulnerable are
no longer suffering and so our children learn drugs are for adults
and those who are sick, dying and/or in pain.

I don't have 50 years to wait.

Alison Myrden

Burlington, Ont.