CANADIANS BASE DRUG POLICIES ON SCIENCE, NOT SCARE TACTICS

U.S. drug czar John Walters is quoted as saying to hecklers, "Shouting
people down doesn't make what you say true."

As the old saying goes, the pot can't call the kettle black. Campaigning
relentlessly against a number of drug policy reform initiatives placed on
ballots across the U.S. by concerned citizens in our Nov. 5 elections, Mr.
Walters basically shouted down these initiatives with prohibitionist
rhetoric that had no basis in science or reality. This, combined with a
massive taxpayer-funded advertising campaign, drowned out the voices of
reason and the limited resources available to try to get these sensible
measures passed.

Canada has shown great leadership in drug policy reform with the Senate
committee report recommending the legalization of cannabis, allowing
seriously ill Canadians to use cannabis as medicine, and in harm reduction
strategies like the safe injection rooms proposal.

Policy decisions should be based on science and reality, not who shouts the
loudest, as Mr. Walters has been doing. Don't fall for his smoke and
mirrors. Canada is on the right track.

Gary Storck, Madison, Wisc.