JUST SAY NO TO DRUG WAR

Re: RCMP inaction 'a national disgrace' (Bob Marshall, Sept. 28).

The fact that the drug war cannot keep drugs out of Canada's prisons, much
less schools, is indicative of its inherent failure. Consider the
experience of the former land of the free and current record holder in
citizens incarcerated. Police searches on public transit, drug-sniffing
dogs in schools and random drug testing have led to a loss of civil
liberties in the United States while failing miserably at preventing drug use.

The drug war is in large part a war on marijuana, by far the most popular
illicit drug. Based on findings that criminal records are inappropriate as
health interventions and ineffective as deterrents, a majority of European
Union countries have decriminalized marijuana. Despite marijuana
prohibition and perhaps because of forbidden fruit appeal, lifetime use of
marijuana is higher in the U.S. than any European country.

Canada should follow the lead of Europe and Just Say No to the American
Inquisition.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.

(That seems to be where we're headed.)