Pubdate: Wed, 28 Apr 2004
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Jody Pressman
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n625/a02.html

ENOUGH TOOLS ALREADY

Re: Liberals to introduced drug-driving bill, April 24.

The assertion by Conservative justice critic Vic Toews that decriminalizing
marijuana will lead to increased consumption is a lark. How could
consumption possibly increase beyond the record-breaking levels we have seen
under the current non-decriminalized environment?

If anything, legal rules, regulations and education -- not simply
decriminalization and increased penalties -- are the way to reduce
consumption and impaired driving rates.

Police already have all the tools they need to detect and arrest impaired
drivers, but in the post-Sept. 11 world, does anyone even notice when the
Constitution takes a back seat to police powers? The Canadian Bar
Association has it right: Only fools rush in.

Jody Pressman,

Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Josh