DRUG POLICY RUINING CANADA, SAYS BRIT

To the editor:

It is not difficult to deconstruct the article you printed by Allen Garr
("War on drugs conference open to select few," May 8) as a sulky, spiteful
rant of a pro-drug advocate.

I think you should let your readers know that amongst those attending the
excellent IDEAS conference were many international visitors-including
myself-who work in the field of drug prevention and treatment. We found the
conference useful and were glad that biased press reporters and columnists
had not been invited.

Pro-drug organisations often run conferences for their own supporters-to
which those of opposing views are not welcome. Why should it be considered
so offensive for those of us who want to see our communities return to a
safer and drug-free society to want to share our experiences and ideas as a
closed group?

By the way, Vancouver can be very proud of the police officers working in
the Odd Squad. Their dedication and humanity to the drug users they work
with deserves nothing but praise. The film they made, with the permission
of the drug addicts of East Vancouver, should be compulsory viewing for all
adolescents and their parents.

As for Canada and the slide into permissive drug policies, I find it sad
that such a beautiful country can take actions that will destroy so many of
its youth-not to mention its economy and its tourist industry. Canadians
should take a close look at what has happened in Holland where the liberal
elite and the media turn a blind eye to drug use. The Dutch population are
heartily sick of the results.

In the past 18 years I have worked with drug users, their families and
friends and also with adolescents in schools and community settings. I
often ask users the question: "Would you like your kid sister, your child,
your wife or your husband to use drugs ?"

I have never-I repeat, never-met a drug user who answers "Yes."

Work it out for yourselves.

Ann Stoker,

Positive Prevention Plus,

Slough, UK