POT WORSE THAN ALCOHOL, HARPER SAYS

BARRIE, Ont. - Stephen Harper, the Canadian Alliance leader, accused a
Senate committee yesterday of all but encouraging marijuana use, and said
he would personally worry more about his children smoking pot than imbibing
alcohol.

Mr. Harper condemned the committee's report, saying it underlines the need
for an elected upper House that would be accountable for its actions.

The report, released this week, concluded marijuana is less harmful than
alcohol or tobacco and proposed the drug be legalized.

"It is not simply that I think the recommendations are fairly radical....
They border almost on advocating use of marijuana," the official Opposition
leader said on the second day of an Alliance caucus retreat here.

"I've got to say as a parent that I simply don't share the view that
alcohol is more harmful than marijuana.

"As a parent, I would be more concerned about pot use than alcohol use by
my children, even in moderation."

He said he reached his conclusions from observation, not personal
experience. As an asthmatic, the Alliance chief said he has never smoked
any substance, legal or otherwise.

Addiction experts note alcohol abuse is responsible for thousands of ruined
lives, injuries and death through its social, health and driving-related
effects.

It is not an issue Mr. Harper is likely to have to tackle on the home front
soon; his children are five and three.

Mr. Harper also suggested yesterday Canada should remain open-minded about
taking part in an invasion of Iraq. He also said he will not release the
names of his leadership-campaign donors until the government passes a law
making it mandatory for everyone to do so.