Editor:
Re: Prescription for a failed drug policy (Coast Reporter health column, July 12).
Thanks to Dr. Paul Martiquet for reinforcing what Educators for Sensible Drug Policy have been saying for decades. Inherent in this, politicians must stop inventing the facts to justify failed drug policies and begin to create drug policy based on the facts.
Aboriginal adults accounted for 33 per cent of prison admissions, many of them as non-violent drug offenders. As well, the "from school to prison pipeline" must be stopped.
Drug education is critical to improving the social strength of our communities, and prison should not be the new classroom for young Canadians.
I am proud to be a member of a community that talks about social issues, acts on their beliefs through political parties and volunteers their services.
The Sunshine Coast is becoming politically involved, and collectively this makes us stronger, wiser and more compassionate.
Judith Renaud, executive director of Educators for Sensible Drug Policy
