NEWS RELEASE

February 27, 2004                                                                                       For Immediate Release

LIBERAL GOVERNMENT URGING OUR CHILDREN TO EXPERIMENT WITH DRUG USE

“By decriminalizing marijuana, our government is forcing our youth to live in a world where drug use is making life more difficult.”

OTTAWA – Today, Garry Breitkreuz, Deputy House Leader and Member of Parliament for the riding of Yorkton-Melville, demanded answers from the Liberal Government on behalf of Canadian parents who are outraged at the Liberal government’s attempt to legalize marijuana. Parents and even police forces across this country are pleading for the government to help protect our youth and throw out the bill that allows and encourages our children to experiment with drugs.

“Protecting Canada’s youth should be our number one priority,” said Breitkreuz this morning in Parliament. “Why does this Liberal government care so little about our young people?”

While there is much dismay from parents, even the youth of this country are fearful of the possible decriminalization of marijuana. Peer pressure on our youth to use drugs is immense at the best of times, but when the leaders of our country are telling our children to “go ahead and try it,” there is something dreadfully wrong.

“Mr. Speaker, young people who don’t want to use drugs have come to me expressing grave concerns about what is happening in our communities – all because this Liberal government is sending the wrong message across Canada about drugs,” stated Breitkreuz.

“By decriminalizing marijuana, our government is forcing our youth to live in a world where drug use is making life more difficult,” said Breitkreuz.  “Psychological pressure to use marijuana is increasing.  Drug-induced crime creates more tension and problems.  A good education is more difficult to obtain because of the negative behaviour and attitudes of their classmates using pot.”

Drug-related offences in Saskatchewan have increased by 97 per cent in just 10 years. By decriminalizing marijuana, the Liberal government is opening the door for even more drug-related crime and leaving our already over-stretched police forces coping with more vandalism, more thefts, and more physical offences.

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