BORDER BUSINESS

Your article about smuggling marijuana from Canada into the U.S. [Aug.
23] did not fairly describe how diligently Canada addresses the
problems of illicit drugs.

We take the issue of drug trafficking in both directions across our
shared border very seriously.

The cooperation between our governments and law-enforcement agencies
is a model for the international community. In recent months,
binational law-enforcement teams have successfully dismantled numerous
criminal drug networks.

The increase in marijuana seizures reflects greater law enforcement
along the border. Still, only 2% of the total marijuana that the U.S.
seizes at all its borders is produced in Canada, which has the same
objectives as the U.S.: to reduce the supply and consumption of
illicit drugs and the harm they cause society.

Bernard Etzinger, Spokesperson

Canadian Embassy

Washington