GOVERNMENT IS FAILING OUR YOUTH

Editor:

Educators for Sensible Drug Policy is an organization of educators
devoted to facts about Canadian drug policy in our schools and
communities. Bill C-15 is not helping educators to do their jobs. The
government is setting a dangerous precedent of how to teach for
failure rather than success. The government is sending a message to
our educators that 'kids don't matter'. Our government wants to
prescribe drug education that is both dangerous and futile. Our
government wants educators to teach Canadian youth that it is
acceptable to be liars, act violently and mistrust those in power.
Experience with alcohol prohibition shows that legalization,
regulation and taxation not only can put the government in control of
all drugs but can also create the framework to help keep the drugs out
of the hands of our youth. The government is teaching our youth that
failed policies are acceptable. Our government is failing our youth.

Educators are now apologizing for their government's lack of
education. Responsible educators must now walk a mine field of
government inaccuracies. We encourage the government to put a stop to
Bill C-15 if you want children to grow up and vote for you.
Prohibition of drugs is a complete and total failure! Youth know it
and are questioning why the government does not know it. Educators
want to teach that it is better to be 'safe than sorry'.

As a parent and grandparent I will discourage any school that supports
and encourages misinformation about drug use and abuse. As a tax payer
I want these public funds to go towards reality based scientific drug
education programs for my daughters and their children. My family,
like every Canadian family, deserves the best in drug education
programs backed by the preponderance of available science. And, to be
a true Canadian, it will be to show outrage at the government's
approach that appears to be enriching gangsters, creating and
sustaining more violence in our communities and being ignorant to the
cause. Do we as Canadians want to support failed drug policies which
reflect American drug war propaganda?

Sincerely,

Judith Renaud M.A.

Executive Director

Educators for Sensible Drug Policy