LETTER OF THE WEEK

PROHIBITION INCREASES DRUG USE: TEACHER

By Dan Banov

Editor, The News:

Well, the proof is here with a new survey reported on marijuana use
by Vancouver coastal Health. The survey showed that more children
use marijuana than cigarettes.

In other words, prohibition increases use of drugs.

I ran in the last election as a Marijuana Party candidate even though
I have never used marijuana. I ran because, as a teacher, I saw that
students could access marijuana and other illegal drugs more easily
than legal cigarettes.

Efforts to eliminate drug use does not stop drug use -- it only
wastes resources that could be better deployed.

It is not difficult to understand how young minds can be influenced
by someone who makes a commission selling drugs by showing how hip they are.

You compare this to buying legal cigarettes, which require ID from
some glaring salesclerk. After buying cigarettes they then have to
view scary pictures and threats.

Most students are brought up to make right choices and education
makes a difference. Making drugs illegal only makes drugs more
attractive. Every student in school can easily find any drug with a
few inquiries. If you have children, just ask. They know a lot.

Dan Banov

Maple Ridge

Pubdate - Sat, 10 Mar 2007

Source - Maple Ridge News (CN BC)