'REEFER' IS NOT THE PROBLEM, BALD-FACED LIES ARE

First and foremost I applaud Dr. Gord Breen, principal of Morley
Community School for having "'ongoing annual student programs directed
towards the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, said Breen, as well
as wellness and guidance counselors, and a family and student
therapist on staff.' (suspect charged with selling drugs to kids,
Times, May 9)"

Thankfully the mass majority do not abuse drugs and become addicted. I
wouldn't even want to imagine what our world would look like if the
majority of people were addicted to drugs of any kind.

A small minority do abuse drugs to the point of becoming addicted.
Expert studies published estimated addiction rates in the early 1900's
were less then two per cent, which is the same addiction rate we have
today, according to current expert studies.

Still with the threat of imprisonment and disease, many people consume
all types of legal and illegal drugs in a recreational manner.

These same people are waitresses, lawyers, doctors, pilots, truck
drivers, family members, etc., that do function in a fashion that is
productive and a benefit to society at large.

Truthful education is the key. Bald-faced reefer madness lies will
only be shown for what they are, information that will not be used in
everyday life.

I was taught the ridiculous reefer madness lies at a young age. By 11
years old I was exposed to a group of people smoking cannabis.

At first I was very frightened these people would become violent and
try to fly off the top of tall buildings and so on.

Low and behold, these cannabis consuming people were peaceful, happy,
talking, laughing and generally enjoying themselves.

Many expert studies since 1894 to 2007 (1) have stated we need to
legalize cannabis. They all state the drug cannabis itself causes much
less harm then the harm caused by its prohibition.

Keith Fagin,

Calgary, AB