Dear Editor,
How naïve I have been to believe the intended purpose for drugs was limited to medical use and controlled by highly-trained and qualified medical professionals.
Some members of society have decided they know better and set up shop to grow, import, manufacture, produce, distribute and sell all sorts of recreational (?) drugs under the ineffective watchful eyes of a very expensive national government regulatory industry.
They require no product safety assessments, production licenses, business licenses, health inspections, tax collection/remittance obligations etc., and no liability to society for any harm or injury caused.
On the other hand, Joe Innocent (taxpayer), including future generations, is charged with onerous personal responsibility to pay for the harm and injury resulting from the uncontrolled recreational drug industry.
Mr. George Pope stated in a recent letter to the editor, “There is literally zero evidence that marijuana causes any negative ills for society.”
Mr. Pope, how many people have been charged and convicted of impaired (cannabis) driving in Canada? Why not?
Could it be that no capable and reliable system (court qualified) has been available to test for cannabis and the rush is on to identify one?
I suggest a review of the Vancouver Sun’s Nov. 5 edition “Please Help Our Son,” together with medical study results identifying negative factors affecting brain development in adolescents from cannabis use may challenge your assertion.
The Nov. 3 edition of 24 Hours includes a story with a theme “Don’t be the death of the party.”
It continues, “Fentanyl Kills — If you’re going to use, follow these TIPS: Don’t use alone/Start with a small amount/Do not mix substances, including alcohol — increases your risk of an overdose/Call 911 immediately if someone overdoses/Have a plan — know how you will respond in an overdose scenario/use at sites where help is available, such as Insite or SafePoint/Be prepared to perform CPR and/or administer Naloxone until help arrives.”
Mayor Malcolm Brodie and council, please hold your ground on this one.
You have my full support and I hope that of many others.
Good luck.
Ken McLennan
Richmond
