FEATURE LETTER: DRUG DEBATE CONTINUES ON

A Month After Our Drug Issue Hit News Stands, Langley Residents Are Still
Debating The Best Way To Handle The Drug Problem In Canada.

Dear Editor,

For the present addicts, we can do very little until they are ready to do
something for themselves.

I favour rehabilitation on farms such as the one which is featured in our
local newspaper [Farmers fight drug addictions, Dec. 7, Advance News]. Let
us bring God, family, personal pride and responsibility back into the picture.

For the rising generation, let us lead the way by teaching them the correct
principles and then, in adult years, allow them to govern themselves.

I desire to address three specific areas where change must be made if we
ever hope to see positive results.

In schools: Give back the education system to the citizens of the
respective districts. Public education has been taken over by big
government, big unions and a myriad of "do-your-own-thing"
politically-correct manipulators. If the government insists on our tax
dollars, then the least harmful route is to allow and promote charter
schools where parents choose.

In universities: Allow citizens the right, the privilege and responsibility
to pay for their own education. Our universities have grown far beyond
their mandate. They should not use our hard-earned tax dollars to promote
programs which are not useful, not needed, and, in some cases, actually
harmful.

In the media: Many addicts get their first introduction to mind-altering
drugs via a bottle of booze. Besides getting young folks hooked on
addictive helpers, the media is the purveyor of all that is lewd, evil and
self destructive. Along with the education system, it is the great promoter
of "do whatever feels good," then leave the cost of rehabilitation to the
tax-paying public. Media can be controlled (eg: no more tobacco advertising
in Canada).

My suggestion: don't be afraid of the words "right" and "wrong." Media,
schools, government and parents should put these words back into their
vocabulary with the emphasis on "right." Of course, there will always be
"wrongs" but if we don't teach corresponding positives, then we are the
delinquents.

My summation:

1.) The rehabilitation of present users as suggested in our local paper;

2.) The elimination of government-sponsored education beyond age eight (the
age of accountability) with a corresponding elimination of our suffocating
tax burden;

3.) The elimination of beer and liquor advertising;

4.) The full force of the law should be applied to growers and adult
peddlers of illegal drugs (eg: lashes - increasing for repeat offenders).

5.) A moratorium on trade with, or any sort of aid to, countries which
allow and condone drug trafficking;

6.) A moratorium on tax-funded aid or assistance to drug users (eg:
welfare, free drugs, hospitalization or safe shoot-up stations);

7.) Cut our taxes to minimal, essential services.

Lila Stanford, Langley