U.S. DRUG CZAR HAS VALUABLE TIPS ON SOLUTIONS TO DRUGS

I attended the Vancouver Board of Trade meeting featuring John P. Walters,
the U.S. White House drug czar (Drug plan waste of resurces, city told,
Nov. 21). I and the majority of guests appreciated his giving Vancouverites
a personal briefing regarding the rationale behind the U.S. policies on
drugs, drug abusers, drug pushers and, most importantly, the solutions to
these problems. U.S. citizens care about their addicts far more than
Canadians where it counts -- money.

I found Mr. Walters a genuine, caring and compassionate man. The experience
he and the U.S. have gained in handling the harm produced by drug use is
valuable and something honest Canadians could learn from.

Regrettably, I also experienced firsthand intoxicated marijuana promoters
from the Marijuana Party acting like degraded beings highjacking an
otherwise pleasurable and important diplomatic U.S.-Canada event.

Tibor Palatinus

Vancouver