Pubdate: Fri, 09 Sep 2005
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Kathy Couch
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1450/a05.html?113186

REGULATE SALE OF DRUGS TO SAVE CHILDREN LIKE MERCEDES

Re: Teen 'got some really bad stuff,' Sept. 8

I cried when I read about the 13- year-old girl who died, presumably from 
adulterated drugs bought on the street. It is right to be angry at those 
who sold the drug to her. It is also right to be angry at the federal 
government, which refuses to regulate these drugs. Had Mercedes bought a 
sealed beer that came from a government-regulated liquor industry, she 
could have been pretty sure of what she was getting. Had she bought an 
ecstacy pill that came from a government-regulated source, she could also 
have been pretty sure of what she was getting. She still would have taken a 
substance that a 13-year-old should not be ingesting, but she would be 
alive. That is why we need to embrace harm reduction, and legalize and 
regulate the production and sale of these drugs.

Unfortunately, our government seems to favour a drug industry regulated by 
criminals (meaning no regulation at all). When criminals are in charge, you 
can never be sure of what you are getting.

The government should protect our children from the fate suffered by 
Mercedes and her family and end prohibition now. We will never be able to 
stop all of our children from taking drugs, but we can ensure that whatever 
they experiment with will not kill them.

Kathy Couch

Nelson
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