Please don’t legalise cannabis use

Honesty really is best policy for South Africa

COULD it be that blind loyalty is one of the blocks to improving race relations?

Are black South Africans hampered by a fear of being called coconuts if they show too much approval for the achievements of whites, while white South Africans are begrudging of sympathy for black suffering under the apartheid system?

An example is a statement by Black Business Council deputy president Sandile Zungu, who said the ANC, not Jacob Zuma, must be blamed for the movement’s woes.

It’s like saying Zanu-PF is responsible for Zimbabwe’s troubles, and not Robert Mugabe. Likewise, the abusive e-mails columnist Max du Preez received from whites when he pleaded for an understanding of black anger.

The strange thing is, it could be said Helen Zille and Thuli Madonsela are the two most admired women in South Africa, Justice Malala one of the most respected political commentators and Nelson Mandela the most respected statesman in the world.

They all have one thing in common: the ability to be honest, no matter how many black or white toes they tread on. MIKE TAYLOR

Kenilworth IN THE past few months I discovered from the newspapers that the government is considering legalising the use of cannabis.

I am not an expert in legal argument, but I am a man who is a recovering addict.

When I first heard about this, I was in disbelief that the government was even entertaining the idea.

I first smoked cannabis in my school days. The drug impaired my judgement and thought patterns which made me nearly fail matric and first year of tertiary education.

Cannabis is a drug that is seen by many as socially acceptable and I know a lot of people who smoke it regularly. For myself (and other addicts like me), this made me “feel WITH regards to the Chatter who enquired about reporting a lawyer to the ombudsman and what steps to take (BackChat, September 21), the Chatter should direct his or her complaints to the KwaZuluNatal Law Society.

If there is proof of conduct unbefitting an attorney, the society will ensure that attorney is suitably disciplined.

However, if the conduct of the attorney is such as to render the attorney unfit to practise as an attorney, then the society will apply to the high court to have the attorney suspended from practising as that it was okay” to use and led me to experiment with other drugs.

The progression of drug use for me increased exponentially over the years. I lost everything materially; ending up on the wrong side of the law and damaging my relationship with my family.

I am a highly educated individual, but the use of cannabis impaired my judgement to such a point that I acted with no emotion or feelings for another human being, which led me to criminal activities.

Looking at the crime statistics, I am sure a lot of the people who are in prison committed the same crimes as me under the influence.

The legalisation of cannabis will have a crippling effect an attorney, or to have the attorney’s name struck off the roll of attorneys.

The following steps should be taken when laying a complaint with the Law Society.

1. Every complaint shall, except in exceptional circumstances, be set out in a sworn affidavit.

2. In the affidavit the complainant must set out the name and address of the attorney who is the subject of the complaint and provide clear and concise details of the attorney’s conduct which the complainant alleges constitutes a misconduct by the attorney. on the youth and education system.

I have friends that are brain damaged because of the regular use of cannabis and it makes my heart sore how their lives have been taken away from them and how it has destroyed their families.

My own life was almost taken from me because of the use of cannabis and I urge the government to think carefully about this decision if it cares about the youth and their future.

I am not a parent but I would not want my children to be brought up in a country where this drug is legal because I know the consequences. RECOVERING ADDICT

Westville

3. Every page of the affidavit needs to be initialled by the complainant and the Commissioner of Oaths.

Complaints will be accepted via e-mail/fax and ordinary post and should be sent to:

Regulatory Affairs Department KwaZulu-Natal Law Society PO Box 1454 Pietermaritzburg 3200 Telephone: 033 345 1304 Fax: 033 345 3028 e-mail: complaints@lawsoc. co.za JAYRAJ BACHU Clare Estate