DRUG LEGALIZATION ISSUE OF LIBERTY

In A war gone to pot (Dec. 16), I disagree with the editor's assertion that
the debate over control of all drugs is far off in both Canada and America.
The war on some drugs has about run its course in America. The tone of the
press is rapidly changing due to the efforts of activists from every sphere
of the political spectrum. The tone of the press in Canada has changed over
the last six years, but there is still a long way to go. For instance, at
the announcement that Canada would soon decriminalize marijuana, Justice
Minister Martin Cauchon was asked what he was smoking by a senior
journalist -- jokes to deal with the issue that strikes at the heart of
liberty in Canada.

The editors correctly assert that a sense of misguided morality on the part
of Americans drives the drug war. Religion and misguided morality ruled
planet Earth until the church and state were separated, bringing about the
end of the theologic state. It would seem that misguided morality once
again rules mankind through the marriage of medicine and state. In that
respect, medicine and morality enforced through it tenets will remain a hot
political issue until the therapeutic state is dismantled.

The therapeutic state has no more right to punish drug users and dealers
than the theologic state had right to burn Jews, witches and heretics.

Chris Buors

Winnipeg