Pubdate: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Red Deer Advocate Contact: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492 Author: Alan Randell PERSECUTING DRUG USERS MAKES NO SENSE Re. Crack houses closed, Advocate, Oct. 29: Drug prohibition was initiated a century ago to harass and control certain non-white minorities by banning the drugs they used. Today, the police are happy to utilize this racist legislation to persecute those whose appearance or lifestyle offend them. Incredibly, thanks in no small measure to prohibitionist propaganda such as this article, drug prohibition enjoys public support. Let no one now say that it is difficult to understand how the German people were persuaded to support Hitler's policies towards the Jews. Unless the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms isn't worth the paper it's written on (a distinct possibility, I'll admit), the courts will soon instruct our sanctimonious politicians and their media sycophants that free adults have the right to ingest any substance. And then, hopefully, residents of Clearview will no longer feel the need to parade their government-induced bigotry and ignorance for all to see. Alan Randell Red Deer - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens