1/29/2010 12:20:00 PM Burch's outrage over marijuana Minister says users kill their career chances, set a vile example to kids and line gangsters’ pockets
* Photo by Kageaki Smith. “The proliferation of marijuana smoking is outrageous… What is more criminal is the indoctrination of young people. They grow up thinking this is normal behaviour…" says David Burch, Minister of Public Safety.
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Marijuana smokers are stunting their job prospects and helping finance Bermuda's gang war.
Public Safety Minister Colonel David Burch said the open and blatant use of the drug has reached "outrageous" new levels.
He said smoking marijuana is viewed as "innocuous" by many adults and has become so widespread some parents are openly lighting up as they drop their children off at school.
He is instructing police to take a more aggressive approach.
And he has urged users to forget about decriminalisation and consider the consequences of their habit. He said the cash people spend on marijuana goes directly into the hands of the criminals who have brought gun crime to the streets.
And he cautioned that the glorification of 'weed' is creating a culture where disrespect for the law prevails and children view the drug as relatively harmless.
But figures show cannabis addiction is crippling the job prospects of young men across Bermuda.
As few as one in 10 of the hundreds of applicants for jobs in the fire service, corrections and police force get past the first hurdle, with a huge chunk of them failing the mandatory drug test.
Time to get tough on marijuana
Our culture's too accepting of harmful habit, says minister
To many in Bermuda rolling a joint is no big deal. Weed is smoked openly at some football games and on street corners, celebrated in popular music and viewed as a lifestyle choice rather than an illegal activity.
Even the public debate on marijuana has mellowed in recent years.
The PLP research and platform committee is sounding out members on decriminalisation and some politicians, like Wayne Perinchief, have publically called for a relaxation of the laws.
But Public Safety minister Colonel David Burch takes a different view.
He doesn't want to hear from the pro-cannabis lobby and says if his party promotes decriminalisation he will resign from politics.
Minister Burch believes more enforcement, not less, is what is required on marijuana.
He says Bermudians are denying themselves job opportunities, funding gang activity and "indoctrinating" children to make the same mistakes every time they light up a joint in public.
He believes the blatant, open use of cannabis has reached "outrageous" new levels. And has called on the police to toughen up on casual drug users.
He has the backing of employers across Bermuda who say they are struggling to recruit young men who can pass a drug test.
Fire chief Vince Hollinsid said the service may have to recruit overseas to fill its 21 vacancies because of the alarming number of applicants who fail the medical, which includes a drug test.
He said enforcement in the service was only going to get tougher with a new policy of random testing for current employees coming on line this year. The bleak recruitment picture is reflected across the services.
Out of 106 applicants in a recent Prison Service recruitment drive only nine made it through the assessment process, which includes drug testing.
Minster Burch estimates that as few as 10 per cent of applicants for police, fire and corrections pass the first stage of the selection process, with the drug test the most significant barrier.
And with more and more private sector companies now adopting anti-drug policies, opportunities in the employment market are becoming slimmer for cannabis users
The minister, who revealed this week that as many as 1,400 people were unemployed, said out-of-work Bermudians could not afford to cut off opportunities simply because they liked to smoke weed.
"The proliferation of marijuana smoking in the country is outrageous. That is my personal view.
"What is more criminal is the indoctrination of young people. They grow up thinking this is normal behaviour 'it goes on in my household so it must be okay'."
He said he had heard anecdotes of parents dropping their children off at school with cannabis smoke billowing from the windows of their car.
"Why would you send your kid to school high? I think that is far more common than you would expect."
Figures from the Department of National Drug Control indicate that over 40 per cent of S4 students have smoked marijuana. The latest survey, in 2007, indicated that 26.5 per cent of S3 students had smoked weed in the past month.
The department is working on compiling statistics for the adult population of Bermuda.
Joanne Dean, director of the DNDC, said the organization was targeting children in a public relations campaign to convince them that smoking dope was not okay.
"Even though people think marijuana is innocuous it is still an illegal substance it introduces you to a certain culture and it has implications that come with that."
She said they were fighting against a public perception that smoking cannabis was harmless.
Minister Burch called on Bermudians to be more responsible in their approach to the drug.
"Adults in general have to do a better job in pointing out the negative effects to young people. I can only imagine the number of households where they are rolling joints with children running around in the kitchen."
Step up enforcement
He has instructed police to step up enforcement on cannabis.
"There has to be greater enforcement so people don't feel they have a rite of passage do it anywhere they like. People can bitch and moan but I want the police to do their job.
"You can't expect them to cherry pick and decide which laws to enforce - the lawlessness we have now is as a result of allowing things to go.
"People shouldn't feel it is alright to go to watch a football game and stand right there and smoke in front of everybody."
He said users should also be aware that the money they spend on marijuana goes directly into the pockets of gangsters.
He is not interested in debating decriminalisation as a potential solution. He says people simply need to get used to the idea that it is illegal and stop blaming others when they are fined or can't get jobs.
"Look at the number of people who get themselves on the U.S. stop list and then look for the Bermuda Government to fix it for them. It's not our fault you got on the stop list... you've been an idiot, there is a price to pay for being an idiot."
Employers and sporting bodies agreed that weed was a major barrier to opportunities, particularly for Bermudian young men.
Sports opportunities
Paul Scope, co-owner of the Bermuda Hogges football team, said the coaches had been forced to discount at least 40 players who may have made the squad over the last three years because they would not have been able to pass a test.
"Throughout Bermuda there are a lot of athletes who can't compete for their country because they wouldn't pass a drug test," said Mr Scope, who is an ex-officio member of the council for drug free sport.
"The vast majority wouldn't even bother turning up for a test because they know they are now quite reliable.
"I would say in virtually 100 per cent of those cases (failed tests) it is cannabis. Nobody is taking performance enhancing drugs.
"I'm not judgemental of people who use marijuana. I don't know whether it harms your body or not, it is irrelevant really. It is illegal and the sports bodies are testing for it so if you want to play sport for your country you can't do it."
Lieutenant Colonel Eddie Lamb, commissioner of corrections, said the service took a similar 'zero tolerance' approach. He said it had caused recruitment challenges because of the prevalence of cannabis use in Bermuda.
"It is a fact that the use of it is very pervasive in our community - by young and old alike. It is used all across our land; by those in baggy jeans and 'hoodies' as well as those in suits and ties."
Fire service
The challenge is even more pronounced at the fire service.
Chief fire officer Vincent Hollinsid said he got only six recruits, out of more than 100 applicants at a recruitment drive last summer.
"There are quite a number of people who pass the academic assessment, pass the physical fitness test but fail the drug test."
He said recent improvements in pay might make the fire service more attractive to an even wider pool of new recruits. But he admitted if February's recruitment drive did not produce results he would have to look overseas for the first time.
Despite that support Minister Burch believes he is swimming against the tide with his views on cannabis. He accepted young people might be more likely to listen to entertainers, like reggae superstar Collie Buddz whose lyrics celebrate cannabis, over a parliamentarian like himself.
But he cautioned: "They can listen to him all they like but they will be the ones on the stop list while he is still travelling around the world spouting this foolishness."
Posted: Monday, February 15, 2010
Comment by:
Terry Wright
Josseline said: "where do you show any sign of accepting the evidence I got from my curiosity on the subject" - Nowhere, because you haven''t produced any qualified evidence for me to accept. For example...
Saying that "young assassins under the influence of cannabis and the "pandemic level" is simply the news" or "we must accept that research on cannabis does not have enough background to permit the conclusion that the drug is harmless when research rather points to the opposite" just doesn''t cut it. The facts are that cannabis rarely causes violence, there''s not a pandemic, we do know a lot about the long term effects of cannabis and the evidence via scientific research from unbiased, reputable organisations strongly indicates that moderate use of cannabis by adults without a family history of mental health problems does NOT usually cause any notable health problems.
"Cannabis to me should be respected as an easier, more widespread drug to get among the youth because it is on the streets whereas alcohol must be purchased in shops mostly." - This is another important reason why drugs should be legalised and regulated. More and more countries are discovering that it''s easier for kids to get drugs than alcohol. Drug dealers don''t require age ID but regulated industries do. Taking control of drug sales back from organised crime would actually decrease use by teens.
"It can lead to mental health problems including schizophrenia , cannabis psychosis which can make the user of cannabis lose touch with reality. " - Cannabis only mimics some of the symptoms of schizophrenia and disappears after a few hours. Also, cannabis doesn''t cause psychosis but agitates it for those who already suffer from it.
And my favourite! "You've probably read about the young students who under the influence of cannabis have stabbed people,. " They hear voices that make them launch horribly vicious attacks and murders on people ." - I''m just speechless on this one. Absolutely BIZARRE!
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
Josseline Philip
We have been going around circles, Terry Wright and now, you are accusing me of standing my grounds; but where do you show any sign of accepting the evidence I got from my curiosity on the subject. I am not trying to change your mind, I am trying to express the information I computed. Why would you want me to change my mind, why would you like to change my mind, Terry? It is not a matter of changing minds but of FACTS! It is not my creation and indeed, I did go to lectures and presentations, here in France, and also in England to learn facts about cannabis. On the internet, I went as you advised me and it only confirmed many of the facts I had known. I cannot reject the conclusions by police investigators or by scientists and now from internet posting-as you advised me to go to earlier. It took me more than 30 minutes though! If they lied, they are so bad but I am innocent because I am not a scientist so I can only trust them-adding some personal observations. Josseline
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
VER
@Scott ..and this goes back to what i have said before it is comments like this which can be destructive to many young people ..
This subject is not even worth discussing in my opinion but like i said i am not making these comments for myself.
In reality i look down on this topic like a lot of people and really dont give it the time of day and when its time to vote for it i will vote no like a lot of other bermudians.Thats how people of bermuda will deal with the subject matter thats how we are,,,so all this talking your doing doesnt matter,,people that are smart and educated do not need to go into extreme details about how its ruining a society,they will talk with there vote.
Its not about me stating facts or studies,the researchers have done thier job and information is out there on the harms of marijuana,that is why this drug will not be made legal,
if you want facts i suggest you talk to doctors and search the web.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
Scott
@VER...im truly sorry, but you are not clear on any facts, nor do you ever even attempt to argue against points supporting decriminalization. You state zero facts, zero studies, and simply assume that what the "war on drugs" tells you is gospel. You say one point to make your comment more emphasized, but then pull back when called out on the point (ie no one overdoses on weed). All you can say is that it "ruins lives", but how it does that, you have no idea of the ration of users/abusers, and have absolutely nothing factual to say. In the end, you simply think that because it is illegal, making it legal will make crime worse. Your note of the mexican drug lords goes against anything history has taught us. Mafia crime bosses terrorised cities and made tons of money due to prohibition. Whne that was repealed, so was the violence and money associated with that. If you think that's untrue, try to explain why.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Terry Wright
Josseline, you sound like you simply have a position and nothing will change your mind. Putting up myths as facts just diminishes any credibility you may have e.g. "investigators told us that cannabis was not "herb", "pure" Bob Marley’s thing anymore but a mixture of a variety of nastier substances thus increasing its dangers as users never know what they ingest". Or that cannabis causes violence. Like I said previously, every argument against cannabis has eventually been debunked by research and science. Whether you have strong personal beliefs or choose to ignore the studies from thousands of medical experts, it doesn't matter. Facts are facts.
Cannabis may not be totally harmless but compared to alcohol, it is relatively safe. In moderation, cannabis should not cause any problems for most people. Those that do react badly should simply refrain from using it ... just like alcohol, Asprin, Panadol etc. Apart from that, cannabis should not be used by people under 21 as they still have developing brains. But for an adult who is healthy with no history of mental health condition, there is sufficient scientific evidence that it should not cause any notable problems if used in moderation.
I can only repeat - The evidence is readily available on the internet and it only takes 30 minutes to find out the facts. Anyone who can''t do that or won''t, doesn''t deserve to discuss the issue.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
VER
@ REALITY CHECK
I am already clear on my facts,I do not make these statements on behalf of myself I was making a statement to the generation behind me .they see you guys making claims that marijuana should be legal and all this other stuff.Yes nobody is saying to the kids this directly but inderectly kids take from life and circumstances what they want.They see someone else doing something and they think its ok.If they see the government legalize marijuana they will think it must not be that bad after all.It is called a WAR ON DRUGS for a reason legalizing is giving up on the fight and giving in to the drug dealers.Like i have said before the drug cartels have taking over mexico the government does not give up and say ok maybe we should legalize a few things and maybe this will hurt the drug dealers.Instead they lay down the law and tell the dealers what is going on.Can you imagine if we did that for every circumstance,///.....
@ SCOTT i will not rebuttal my statements,you do not need to physically die in order for a drug to completely ruin your life and your families lives.Many people i see who are on drugs are still alive. & have not overdosed but are a real problem to thier families and neighbors,hopefuly some guys turn thier lives around and some do not,,,,
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Reality check
@ Ver, I think everyone knows that marijuana is not "completely harmless"
Just like alcohol and cigarettes are not harmless. And I can gaurantee you Ver, that alcohol abuse has affected just as many families(probably countless more if I had to guess) as marijuana. If we made everything that could potentially be harmful illegal, our grocery stores would be half empty. Once again Ver, just so you are completely clear, nobody is telling children "it's okay to smoke marijuana cause it's completely harmless", except the drug dealers that make their living selling ILLEGAL drugs. That will remain forever a problem as long as their is an illegal drug trade to make money on. Take away the illegal aspect and guess what happens, consumption doesn't change all that much on adults, makes it harder for children to get their hands on, and the gang wars have nothing to kill over. What do you see wrong about that?
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Scott
@VER... seriously.. your arguments are lacking. Yes it is illegal now, does not make it "not up for discuss". removing old laws is always up for discussion. Also, if you had any strength in your thoughts about the real dangers of weed, you would realize that by "overdosing", i mean "being killed by using too much". Now that that has been settled, please feel free to rewrite your rebuttal. But i will say this. If oyu think people's lives are messed up, i would go on a limb and say more poeples lives are ruined by alcohol than marijuana (excluding the criminality of possession). @ Josseline. You are right, firstly that its not the same old "bob marley, pure" stuff we like to think of. I suppose my hopes for the due process (hypothetically if it happened) would be proper govt regulation to allow only safe product, similar to the US's whiskey vs moonshine. while i do disagree with him, i suppose i wont fault Col burch for sticking to his ground. i do think it is dangerous though to be preaching something as being far worse than it legitimately is. that leads to distrust of "safety measure". I would like to add tho, that i dont think any politician sitting down in meetings with "experts" means they'll come out with proper policy. I remember a few gay cruises, gay legislation, planning applications, etc etc where "politicking" took higher precedent than good legitimate discussion of pro's/con's.
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Comment by:
Josseline Philip
As far as Colonel Burch's intentions are concerned, can I just say this: I am quite satisfied that the man can take unpopular measures and it's a sign of a responsible leader to me. But on our subject, it seems to me that everybody has been under shock after the series of senseless murders at the end of 2009 and the very beginning of 2010. For my part, I prefer to think and you are right, it is my option that Colonel Burch must have sat down in many meetings, with the appropriate experts to try and find the beginning of a solution, to solve that senseless violence. He may have come to a first conclusion that cannabis does not help. Plus he may have learnt that cannabis stops young people on their way to brighter futures and he had already spoken about this fact- I think in 2008. You may be perfectly right, Colonel Burch could be trying a political thing- I do not happen to think so and right here, this is my opinion, contrary to the information about cannabis. For very personal reasons, I certainly do not like the apathy and carelessness of many of our politicians; but I think we need to be careful not to see only political coups in all of their actions, precisely when Colonel Burch's stand on cannabis truly makes him sail against the wave. And I surely wish I could swear to always be as moral as you make sound Terry Wright. Josseline
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Comment by:
Josseline Philip
Evidence can be found by anyone interested in the subject- every parent who worries about the future of their childrenand not only on the internet. Most unfortunately, for my part, and against my youth plans for life, it has been imposed on me to raise my two children on my own. So I evidently got more worried of the dangers around them. The first time I had a presentation about drugs was about 13 years ago and my children were in the first year of secondary education. The conference- organised by their school, was by police investigators who had just returned from the USA with fresh news about drugs. This was the first time I heard that crack had been an official, but failed attempt at creating an addiction in black men in the USA. I also had a first introduction to the potential dangers of cannabis. Among other things, those investigators told us that cannabis was not "herb", "pure" Bob Marley’s thing anymore but a mixture of a variety of nastier substances thus increasing its dangers as users never know what they ingest. I will not repeat what I mentioned before but Mr. Terry Wright the young assassins under the influence of cannabis and the "pandemic level" is simply the news. We are all adults, we must accept that research on cannabis does not have enough background to permit the conclusion that the drug is harmless when research rather points to the opposite. Josseline
