There has always been a portion of society throughout Canada's history who like to sit back and critize the policies of the Government be it Federal, Provincial or Municipal.
They further embellish their lack of ambition and exploit their own ignorance by searching everyday for someone to blame for their miserable daily life. After all it is easier to claim you are a victim of society than it is to be a productive member of society.
In the 1960's there was a large youth population in Canadian Society that stated the drug laws were wrong.
To prove this theory they chose to use drugs and protest by growing their hair long, (not Beatle Cuts) grow beards and wear sandals. They protested any cause even if they had no idea what it stood for.
Unlike magazine images try to portray, this was not the majority of our youth.
The greatest mistake that this Hippie Generation made was by turning a blind eye on societies laws they became the hunted by the Police who are bound to enforce the laws.
By public protest they made headlines, but made no impact as they had no organized structure to lobby with reason what changes they wanted and what effects this would mean to the Country in whole. Therefore, the result was no progress on their behalf.
The Country did win the fight, the drug battle will never be over in my lifetime nor do I expect ever, because in the end the Hippies went away. But this may have been a win at a cost Canada in the long run may not wanted to have won.
There is a lot to be said about accountability by opposition. I may not have agreed with the drug use but I supported the freedom of life style and of course FREE LOVE.
The Hippies did not focus their power to get elected into the Federal Government or become lobbyist to try to legalise their activities. What they did was snub society and break the laws and blame the Police for their woes.
The Police in many cases were their peers in age and may have some of the same values but chose to live productive lives and go about life in a legal manner.
The drug squads in Canada were numerous and covered soft and hard drugs. There were times when it seemed they were everywhere yet nowhere.
These men and women came from all walks of life and represented all corners of our nation. They were required to perform a job under harsh conditions that could end in their death. The Hippies hated them, the drug dealers feared them and society needed and wanted them but treated them with contempt because they worked outside the framework of normal police behaviour.
When you read stories in Vancouver about the meanest son of a bitch to ever live, Abe Snidanko, remember one important fact. Abe Snidanko served in the RCMP and was a prime example of efficiency and honesty. To do so he placed his life on the line daily for Canada.
I had the pleasure of meeting him in the 1960's and yes he was a tough man but he did what Canada asked him to do and he did the job.
As for his detractors, grow up get over your stupidity in the 60's and 70's and learn from your mistakes and become productive to society.
Canada is a better place because of Abe Snidanko and all the other men and women who placed their lives on the line fighting drugs. He desirves the Order Of Canada.
G. W. Govan
