WAGING A FUTILE WAR ON DRUGS

Editor:

I didn't know whether to laugh or get angry when I read that the RCMP
busted its largest ever grow-op in Chilliwack's history.

It is both laughable and frustrating that scarce police resources are
wasted chasing after a plant that most Canadians, and an even higher
percentage of British Columbians, believe should be legalized.

Marijuana is clearly less addictive than cigarettes and does not come
anywhere close to causing the social problems that alcohol does.
Indeed, the social problems that are caused by marijuana stem largely
from the fact that it is prohibited. We all remember watching Popeye
when we were young, and without the green stuff (his spinach) he had
no power. In much the same way, organized crime in this province
would be rendered impotent without its green stuff (marijuana) and
would not have the power to strong arm anyone. Put another way,
marijuana is organized crime's cash cow.

Having said that, it is also one of the main engines of the British
Columbian economy. You could say Alberta has its oil and B.C. has its bud.

If marijuana was legalized this province could tax it and we would be
closer to surplus; you could control the THC levels much like alcohol
levels are controlled now, and you wouldn't have to worry about it
being spiked with meth or some other dangerous drug.

It never ceases to amaze me how politicians in one country don't look
at the failures of policies in other countries and do the opposite.
Clearly, the drug wars in both the United States and Mexico have been
colossal failures. In fact, in the last few years, Mexico stepped up
its drug war, only to see rampant corruption and utter mayhem
escalate as a result. Currently, in Canada, the lion's share of
resources are spent on drug enforcement, which flies in the face of
kindergarten economics 101, that states as long as you have a demand
you will have a supply. It seems logical to me and many Canadians
that the federal government should go after the demand end and spend
most of our drug resources on education, prevention and the
rehabilitation of those hooked on hard drugs.

On Saturday morning, as I was reading about the Nixon Road pot bust,
my cat began chasing his own tail and I chuckled, but I also realized
that my cat was not smart enough to recognize the futility of his own
actions; one wonders if the RCMP recognizes the futility of their
accomplishment up on Nixon Road.

Rod Nelmes

Sardis