SENATORS AND ANTI-PROHIBITIONISTS TAKE MINISTER TO TASK

Re: Senate delay on drug bill risks lives: Justice minister, July 23:

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson's recent attack on the Senate for doing
its constitutionally mandated job was illustrative of the current
government's political tactics. It also -- unintentionally, no doubt
- -- revealed some grim truths about drug prohibition.

Putting aside the facts about Bill C-15 (it won't target high-level
dealers and won't reduce drug supply or demand), I found the most
interesting part of the story the implicit admission, by the minister
and police officials, that drug prohibition actually endangers our
communities and benefits organized criminals and violent gangs.

The minister says black-market marijuana production is the "currency
of organized crime." Vancouver police Insp. Brad Desmarais admits that
black-market drugs make significant profits for organized crime. They
are right.

What went unsaid is that until we end drug prohibition, this scenario
won't change. While demand for drugs exists, people will sell them.

Bill C-15 ups the risk a bit, which will simply up the cost of drugs
and, therefore, the profits made by those who sell them. It may also
make the marketplace more violent, resulting in greater damage to our
communities and our children.

Bottom line: Gangsters like drug prohibition, just as Al Capone liked
alcohol prohibition. Isn't it ironic, and tragic, that the justice
minister, police and gangs all support the same policies?

Kirk Tousaw

Executive Director,

Beyond Prohibition Foundation,

Vancouver