KIDS HAVE RIGHTS TOO

Dear editor,

Parenting is a difficult job. I understand policing, too, is a
difficult job. However, there is no "black and white" book for
parenting as there is with the law. At the foundation of democracy
lies the responsibility to be critical of our society.

While trying to teach our kids to be good citizens, circumstances can
become complicated indeed. At home, a framed letter of recognition to
my great-grandfather, who "heroically strived . for honour among
nations, the rights of humanity, and the freedom of the world," hangs
on the wall, serving as a reminder of what it means to be Canadian.
Sometimes, you have to take a stand to protect those "rights and
freedoms." The danger posed by those who might abuse authority is far
greater than that posed by a youth with a roach.

One might argue that a youth shouldn't have a roach; marijuana is
illegal. As a parent, I would agree; first, because it is a drug;
second, because it is illegal. However, I will not agree that our
kids should be without "rights." The hypocrisy of a society that
legalizes alcohol yet criminalizes marijuana is evident to many.
Given the abuses of power taking place in all levels of our
government, the rhetoric of the evils of marijuana seems to fall
short. This begs the question: do our marijuana laws reflect the
wishes of Canadians, or are we sacrificing our sovereignty and bowing
to the highly unsuccessful American "war on drugs"?

Where might is not necessarily right - what recourse does a parent
have? When a parent who comes to pick up a youth, who is crying and
trembling on a curb (over a roach), is told to go away because they
are obstructing justice, something is amiss.

Thereby, one might invoke the Canadian Constitution, which states you
are entitled not to consent to a search of your personal property
without a warrant. If a police officer says, "Let me look in your
purse," you have the right to say no. Also, if you are not breaking
any law and are waiting in the park for a parent to pick you up, you
have the right not to be unreasonably detained. You may politely ask,
"Am I free to leave?" Anything else you say can, and most certainly
will, be used against you, as witnessed by myself and four young
citizens. Therefore, there is the right to remain silent.

I wish no youth ever smoked pot, and that authority was never abused.
But we are human, after all. So, I am reminded, there is a time for
silence and a time to speak out.

Lisa Woolman