PROHIBITION HAS NEVER WORKED

THE EDITOR:

It seems every second week the news is reporting on the busting of some
grow-op or drug operation. Houses are destroyed, people arrested, lives
destroyed, the odd murder, illegal money, use of police and court time all
come into play. Almost everyone has been affected by some drug crime. Why
do we have all these problems? Because the government is attempting to
control the moral behaviour of the public.

The American solution has historically been about international control of
other countries and internal control of their citizens. In a recent study,
53 per cent of Americans believe it is important to convert others to their
moral standard. Only 26 per cent of Canadians believe in this moral control.

But we have elected a Liberal government that is under American control and
if we choose the opposition the George W. Bush wannabe party, we would have
these conservative socialist creating even more controls. The NDP is too
concerned with their vested interests.

Only the Marijuana Party stands firm on the logical solution to clearing
this social problem.

In the 1930s government tried to control use of alcohol. So how did making
it illegal protect the public? It created drug wars [remember the old
Elliott Ness movies], filled prisons, and wasted tax dollars, all in the
name of public morality.

Prohibition did not work then and does not work now.

Prohibition laws telling people what they can consume or use are contrary
to the freedom we have fought many wars for. Citizens should be able to
choose their own TV shows, diets, religion, type of partner, drug or
anything they wish as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.

Laws should protect people from others infringing on their rights - not
forcing moral behaviours. For instance, laws to stop drinking driving or theft.

Government should help educate people to make right choices. It should tax
drugs [like cigarettes and alcohol] to help pay for encouraging right or
informed choices.

When you make a drug illegal, it is very difficult to control its use.
Cigarettes are legal and controlled. I would say that a child has more
difficulty getting cigarettes than most illegal drugs, so what does the
illegal label do? It certainly does not control use.

I frequently hear the comments making it legal says it is OK and more will
start using drugs. I say more [kids in particular] use drugs because they
are illegal.

My personal moral values? I would consider a couple of Christians driving
their children to church and smoking cigarettes to be a much worse crime
than two adults choosing to go to a party to smoke a joint.

While I have never smoked marijuana or cigarettes, I do not think my values
should be forced on others.

Dan Banov, Mission