LIARS... GET ME A SHOVEL

Re: "Legalise it..." (Letters, June 24)

Actually, as much of a blatant lie or illusion it really is, the government
and police often do list victory in the war on drugs as their objective.
The drug policy of the RCMP, according to Tim Quigley, is to prevent drug
use, both through education and supply eradication. Success in preventing
drug use, he claims, is possible, but only if all our resources are
coordinated to that end. D.A.R.E. Canada lists explicitly in its mission
statement the goal of preventing drug use amongst school kids. Preambles to
our drug laws are also focused on preventing and therefore eradicating drug
use. If this goal wasn't explicit, there is no way drug laws would have the
support or legitimacy they do.

The point that Myron Von Hollingsworth wanted to make is not that our
leadership does not list victory as its goal in the drug war, but that the
objective of victory serves as the false pretext for the continuation of
money-wasting, witch-hunting and freedom-impinging policies of the worst
kind. That victory in preventing and eliminating drug use is the stated
goal of the drug warriors, even when this goal is completely unrealistic
and cannot be further from the truth, must not be forgotten, as this fact
demonstrates the extent that lies, hypocrisy and corruption have permeated
our system.

James Steidle