MARIJUANA BILL WON'T PREVENT OR DETER USE

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and the federal Liberals continue to
demonstrate their determination to push their left-wing agenda as opposed
to making sound judgments on matters that affect all Canadians.

In reviving fundamentally flawed Bill C-238 to decriminalize marijuana,
they continue to ignore common-sense concerns of people like the Canadian
Professional Police Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

If the government is genuinely sincere when it says it wants measures that
are focused on prevention and deterrence designed to encourage all
Canadians, particularly children and youth, to stay drug free, it needs to
give the police tools adequate for the job.

The bill, which would replace criminal sanctions and jail terms for the
possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana with fines and blood or urine
tests, makes the police uneasy. Conservative Justice Vic Toews is correct
when he says more reliable tests should be developed before decriminalizing
marijuana. No simple, reliable breath test for drugs exists.

The police association has repeatedly asked for a fully funded national
drug strategy before making amendments to marijuana legislation.

Paul Martin claims he wants to improve our relations with Americans. It is
difficult to see how this ill-conceived bill will help. It is bound to
increase already frustrating border lineups and further irritate relations
with our neighbours.

It is equally difficult to see this bill helping our already frustrated
police officers or discouraging the use of drugs.

Taking the soft approach to drugs does not encourage those who should be
encouraged, or discourage those who should be discouraged.

Gerald R. Hall

Nanoose Bay, B.C.