WHO'S WEARING BLINDERS

Dear Editor:

Re: PM needs to answer questions, In My Opinion, Burnaby NOW, Feb. 17.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper went to Victoria to address the members
of the legislative assembly, not to visit with Keith Baldrey.

If Mr. Baldrey wants to have his questions answered, he is free to
write to the Prime Minister's Office.

But he should pay attention to the wording of his letter, because
what he calls "ideological blinkers" are actually sound moral principles.

As a reporter, Mr. Baldrey should know that these principles, which
form the foundation of Canada's national anti-drug strategy, include
being compassionate with people who are suffering from drug addiction
while helping them to kick their destructive habit, preventing our
youth from becoming hooked on illicit drugs, and being tough with the
criminals who produce and push these dangerous drugs on our streets.

Assisting desperate people to inject street-obtained poisons into
their veins is not a way to improve their health. Such misguided
approach harms the user and the community.

Mr. Baldrey is the one who does not see past his own ideological blinkers.

He has abandoned common sense by encouraging drug abuse and
supporting behaviour that, in spite of his questionable statistics,
cannot possibly reduce drug-related crime.

Eva Derton,
Burnaby