OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT GOOD PLACES FOR DRUG USERS

I know that this paper is not a forum to discuss in detail personal drug
policy, but after Jose Melendez's attack of my letter, I feel I must
respond. I'm inclined to ask, what is 'shameless' about protecting our
children?

Drug laws are not in question here, the drug laws are already in place, but
rather the cessation of drug use in an inappropriate environment, school.

What Melendez and Barth are attacking here is parental care of minors. Nor
am I ignorant of Mr. Barth's group, and their beliefs.

If they are not my beliefs that does not make me ignorant.

Additionally, what is ironic about the fact that "schools should not be
like prisons, where drug use is rampant"?

That is, actually, a fact. Schools should not be like prisons, and drug use
is rampant in prisons.

Is Melendez suggesting that schools should be like prisons and therefore
drug use rampant in them?

Mr. Melendez's states "during alcohol prohibition that liquor was regularly
smuggled and distributed in schools."

Alcohol is still a prohibited substance to minors under the age of 21 in
the U.S.A., and either 18, or 19 years of age in Canada and is still
prohibited in schools in both countries.

And as for the threat, "Go ahead, just say no. I dare you", what do you
mean by that? Should our children be bullied for not wanting to do drugs,
or wanting an education in a drug free environment?

It is because of this bully mentality that we have to adapt rules to
protect our children in the first place.

I say - Go ahead; just say no, I applaud you!

Mary Ann Erickson

Qualicum Beach