LIBERALS SENDING A MIXED MESSAGE

With its recent plan to decriminalize marijuana, the federal government is
clearly sending a mixed message to people of Canada, especially our youth.

On one hand, a different level of government, the Region of Peel, has
decided a ban on all smoking in public places will gradually take effect by
2010.

The penalties for drinking and driving get more harsh and outrage is heard
from coast to coast when what is perceived to be an insufficient sentence is
given for a person with multiple offences.

But the pot plan gives tacit approval to the recreational use of marijuana,
taking a boys-will-be-boys attitude.

So far, the plan is under attack from many fronts, including police,
anti-drunk driving campaigners, doctors, political opponents and even its
own party's backbenchers.

The Canadian Police Association is concerned there is no road-side testing
for marijuana. Without the tools to prove a case in court, many drivers may
well be able to get away with driving while impaired on drugs.

"Who is going to support that police officer when that driver goes down the
road and kills somebody else and it's determined that the person was highly
impaired by drugs, yet the officer didn't have the tools to intervene?"
asked David Griffin, the group's executive officer

When this many people are telling you something is wrong, maybe it's time to
listen.

There's plenty of time for the Liberal to introduce a better plan, one that
addresses the concerns of most critics.

Until then, let's send the message to our kids that it's not okay to smoke
pot.