DRUG USE PROBLEMS REQUIRE PUBLIC CONSENSUS

Over the past couple of years, I, along with colleagues Jerry Paradis
and Wallace Craig, have on many occasions, either directly or
indirectly, written about the problems connected with drug abuse.

Like most of you, I suspect, we frequently disagree on the "ways and
means" of addressing the various problems, but we have no difficulty
in agreeing that a problem does exist.

There is little doubt, based on the number of e-mails and personal
comments that I have received, that many take exception to my position
against the legalization of drugs generally and marijuana
specifically.

My dialogue with both these respondents and with adult acquaintances
who use and support the legalization of marijuana reveals once again,
however, there is almost universal concern that identifying addiction
and the various behaviours that it supports are problems that are not
being addressed. Concern is particularly acute in considering young
people and drug use.

As parents, I felt we had two equal and sometimes competing
responsibilities.

Firstly, it was our responsibility to protect, nourish, educate and
motivate our children.

Secondly, it was our responsibility to allow our children to become
self-sufficient and to take charge of their own lives. "Growing up"
can certainly involve experimentation, some missteps and, hopefully,
learning. We, of course, provide guidance and "soften the pitfalls"
where we can.

Drug experimentation is merely one of the more significant "pitfalls"
posing a danger to young people as they begin their lives.

Parents, teachers and various social agencies attempt to educate young
people on the problems connected with drug use. I believe they do a
reasonably good job in discharging this responsibility, but young
people continue to get involved with drugs, creating concern for
parents and lawmakers alike.

So Where Do We Turn?

Perhaps the time has come for the public to get involved and recognize
that both those advocating legalization and those calling for severe
penalties are on the same path in wanting a change from what has
become the status quo.

The Squamish First Nation and the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation groups
have taken an important first step in this direction by making drug
dealers aware that their behaviour will not be tolerated. In other
words, family, friends and neighbours have taken both an interest and
a public stand. It is likely that only through such public pressure
will our politicians make a concerted effort towards real reform.

Democracy being what it is, we spend a lot of time debating the pros
and cons of possible solutions to a problem and, at times, the real
problem becomes lost in the politics of elegant arguments on whose
solution is best. One only has to look to the Middle East, Northern
Ireland or one of the countless other "hot spots" in the world to
realize that positive change and solutions to major problems are not
easily won.

One thing is certain, drug problems in Canada and around the world are
killing, debilitating and costing in a way that could not have been
expected 50 years ago. In fact, there is little doubt that statistics
would probably support that in each of these categories drugs actually
exceed armed conflict in terms of damage. We waste time, money and
effort that could be much better applied to gainful activity. How do
we change the situation?

It is certainly easier to raise questions than it is to provide
solutions, but perhaps with some public consensus our decision makers
could be forced to address the issue of drugs in some sort of a
systemic fashion.

Being proactive rather than reactive would certainly be a change in
our approach to the issue of drug abuse.