THE PR WAR ON DRUGS

An interesting coincidence, if it is in fact a coincidence, occurred last week.

The Senate committee looking at cannabis concluded that the "gateway
theory," which holds that cannabis use leads to the use of other drugs, is
a myth, and that the nation should be polled about decriminalizing cannabis
(NOW, May 9-15).

These Senators heard presentations from all over the world, making their
report the most informed in this country in decades.

At the same time as the announcement of these findings, Vancouver was
hosting the "iDEAs Conference," a one-sided propaganda vehicle paid for by
a filthy-rich Vancouver "moral entrepreneur" whose speakers list was
stacked with U.S. drug warriors and politicos who've all made very
lucrative careers out of demonizing cannabis.

The real story to watch here is how much ink and air time each story
receives. My money is on the average Canadian never having heard of the
Senate committee's findings in a week's time.

Chris Donald

Dartmouth