Just Say No, or 2 Gaol U Go!

Often things happen in Canada that provoke barely a ripple of notice in the failed state to the south. Generally only things that directly affect America, Americans or involve Americans in Canada or with Canadians. On occasion Canadians are even somehow flattered that the big bully below has blessed us with his acknowledgement.

Since Canada is often portrayed as the North American drug capital, like the Netherlands in Europe or Afghanistan in Asia, it isn't surprising that the New York Times would report on the Leader Of Canada announcing a new (sic) plan on illegal and/or addictive drugs. Since there isn't much of a plan and NOTHING new, it also isn't too surprising that teh Grey Lady only devoted 142 words to this non-event.

Reversing earlier moves to decriminalize marijuana use, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada announced new legal and spending measures against drug use and distribution on Thursday.

Of the 142 words, almost a third are wasted explaining past policies and actions on this issue taken by the previous Liberal government and others. Of course Harper doesn't want just want to reverse "earlier moves to decriminalize......," but wants to go back to some imaginary former time (like 18XX) when women stayed in the home and sick people were respectful and just died and got out of the way. Actually back in those days most known drugs were legal and if they became a problem were treated as the medical problem that they actually were then and are still.

Clearing up the Confusion:

“Far too long now in Canada, governments have been sending out mixed messages on drugs,” Mr. Harper said Thursday. “Canadians hardly know what the law is anymore.”

Watching our governments at most levels ignoring the law or breaking the law and circumventing due process, it is hardly surprising that we “Canadians hardly know what the law is anymore.”

To make it clear that drug use is illegal in Canada, he said the government would spend about $64 million on antidrug campaigns and increased enforcement, including mandatory sentences for dealers and smugglers.

The one dollar and change per Canadian that the Harp is going to spend ona TREATMENT, PREVENTION and ENFORCEMENT should be all it takes to solve the drug problem. Well I mean when added to the almost twenty dollars per Canadian already being spent on enforcement (policing, courts and incarceration), I'm sure this will make the difference. Someone calculated that the BC share of the treatment monies should easibly fund 10 whole detox beds for ONE WHOLE YEAR!

The Partay's Over!

As Steve-0 said, "The Party is Over," I hope he means the Reform party disguised, ala Buffalo Bob from Silence of the Lambs, in the carcass of the Conservative Party of Canada. Unfortunatedly Steve-0's idea of a dealer is the desparate addict who buys a dime bag and sells two nickels to acquire a hit for himself from the cut. Those making the big money on drugs are insulated from arrest, and with the lawyers they can afford are highly unlikely to go to the Crowbar Hotel, in the unlikely event they are ever arrested. Of course these same kingpins will only make more money as the result of any increased scarcity of supply from the New (not new) Drug Policy from Canada's New (not so new) Government.

The Icing on the Cake:

There will also be increased coordination with the United States, he said.

Gee willikers, ain't that music to our ears? Of course if Steve-0 has his way, we'll be so co-ordinated with the failed state to the south that we'll be part of it.