HEALTH VS. CRIME IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Re: "A Smart Response To B.C.'s Pot Habit," Oct 6.

Congratulations on a reasoned, reasonable, realistic, research-based
editorial regarding the idiocy of continuing to consider the use of
marijuana as a federal criminal offence.

All addictions should be regarded as health issues, not crime issues.

Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go to achieve that perspective.

Perhaps we could hurry it along by beginning to consider the
recreational use of marijuana in the same light as the recreational
use of tobacco or alcohol -- both of which are more dangerous to
one's health than marijuana.

That is not to say that marijuana is without risk, but that risk
pales beside the potential risks of those other two -- perfectly
legal -- substances.

Think of the money wasted by trying to restrain the use of marijuana,
especially in the light of the data in the editorial.

That money would be much better spent on other health issues,
including education regarding the use of all addictive substances, as
well as offering crime-prevention personnel the opportunity to use
their training and expertise in real and dangerous situations --
child abductions, for instance.

That would indeed be worth it.

Marlene E. Hunter, MD, F.C.F.P.(C),

Victoria.