WASTE OF OUR MONEY

Re: 'Budbusters' move in on pot plantations, Sept. 3

Here we go again wasting the taxpayers' hard earned money.

So what if the "The Budbusters - a joint team of police and military
staff -have worked together to locate 460 plantations across Vancouver
Island."

It sounds like a lot of pot, but what difference will it make?

Last year's police pot harvest didn't stop this year's crop and this
year's police harvest won't stop next year's crop. In fact, the pot
plantations are just getting bigger and more numerous.

RCMP spokesperson Const. Tammy Douglas even admits the
seek-and-destroy missions have been going on for several years.

These recent seek-and-destroy missions are little more than glaring
examples of the futility of pot prohibition.

RCMP efforts are not making "a real dent" in the pot industry, nor
will they ever do so. Who is Const. Tammy Douglas trying to kid? It is
all just an expensive show at taxpayers' expense to give the public
the illusion that something is being accomplished.

Journalists need to be asking important questions, like:

1 ) Is there any evidence that these pot eradication efforts have made
an impact on the marijuana trade in the region? Where is the proof?
After all, these eradication efforts have been happening for decades
and the outdoor gardens haven't gone away.

2 ) What percentage of the outdoor pot crops are the Budbusters able
to destroy?

3 ) How much do these annual pot eradication efforts cost? (diverted
police resources, overtime pay, helicopter use and fuel, court and
prison costs etc.)

Taxpayers have a right to know the answers to these questions.

Why are we wasting huge amounts of taxpayers' money on the Budbusters
outdoor pot seek-and-destroy missions when the money could be much
better spent maintaining good health and education services in our
communities?

Unfortunately, these futile and expensive outdoor seek-and-destroy
rituals will continue, year after year, until we finally come to our
senses, end pot prohibition and create a legal, regulated market.

Herb Couch

Nelson, B.C.