A HEALTH CONCERN

Canadians should face the facts. Prohibition, whether it be for
alcohol, illegal drugs or alcohol, fuels violent crime. The so-called
war on drugs, at an outrageous economic and social cost, will simply
not stop the use of illegal drugs in Canada.

We should consider the alternative by approaching this matter on a
national basis as a health concern and not a criminal issue.

Similar to cigarette and alcohol beverage taxes, think of the revenues
to all levels of governments, most likely in the hundreds of millions
of dollars a year. This is not to suggest that legalizing illegal
drugs would be risk-and problem-free. But it is time to deprive drug
lords and organized crime of the huge, tax-free profits from drug use.

Emile Therien,

Ottawa