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•Th e IF P• H al to n H ill s • Th ur sd ay , S ep te m be r 4 , 2 01 4 6 OPINION We applaud the province on its decision to bring further attention to the issue of distract- ed driving in Ontario. The province implemented prudent pub- lic policy in 2009 in bringing in sanctions for engaging in such things as texting while driv- ing. The problem that action sought to address represented a considerable public safety issue. Unfortunately, it still continues to, and further responses are required. The provincial government is set to reintro- duce legislation in October that would increase the fines and the demerit point penalties for this offence. The move comes in the wake of such re- search as a Centre for Addiction and Mental Health survey that found more than one third of licensed Ontario students in Grades 10 to 12 -- an estimated 108,000 teens -- reported having texted while behind the wheel at least once in the past year. It also comes after noting the issuance of an estimated 235,000 charges for this offence in the past three years -- without culture chang- ing in this area among motorists. Police routinely set up distracted driver enforcement blitzes. It seems every time the police go fishing for such motorists, they can catch as many as they would like without enor- mous expenditure of time. This is a dangerous driver habit that needs to be more forcefully registered as such with the public, and particularly with younger driv- ers and future ones. These groups generally have a disdainful view of impaired driving. Such an attitudinal shift needs to arrive with distracted driving as well. This will take enhanced public education, with perhaps such things as adjustments in the public school curriculum and additional police enforcement. Bringing in stiffer penalties can't hurt in the effort to change how people regard this risky and stupid behaviour. The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of sev- eral Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copy- right. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ ontpress.com or call 416- 340-1981. The Independent & Free Press Don't do it Letters to the editor The other day I tried ordering Nature's Measure Super B Com- plex Vitamins. I have friends who have taken this medication for years without any ill effects. The bottle has a valid NPN 80038213 number, which makes it legal to be sold in Canada ac- cording to Health Canada. The product is no longer avail- able in Canada, but still is in the United States. I also have a problem with some medication which I was prescribed by my family doctor which no longer works anymore, yet has the same brand name, which worked fine before. I spoke to my doctor about this, but the reasons were incon- clusive as to why the medication did not work any more. The result was that a stronger medication was prescribed to me which has some undesirable side effects, but I am hoping with time that these will diminish. It is obvious to me that the chemical composition of the medication that I was originally taking has been changed. It looks to me like I will be having to go to see a doctor in the United States and get the original medication that I was taking prescribed to me. I also find it perplexing and frustrating that medical mari- juana is allowed in Canada and yet it has been proven that it can cause paranoia and psychosis in many individuals. Yet, Health Canada thinks it's OK to monkey with the chemical composition of certain beneficial pharmaceuticals. One final note: Health Canada is more powerful than the RCMP, because they can tell the RCMP to intercept or seize any medica- tion they may think is unsafe. They also have sweeping pow- ers over directing the seizure of medications deemed safe in the United States by using Canada customs to do their work for them. They also have the capabil- ity to use other law enforcement agencies to perpetrate their crimes. There is no other agency with such power except maybe for CSIS, or perhaps they too are being told what to do by Health Canada. If there is any advocacy group that can put Health Canada in its place, I would greatly appreciate a message from such a group. Andy Prigge Halton Police initiates Project Safe Start on Sept. 1. Will your driving habits change as we move into the fall season? • Yes, I become more cautious (40%) • No, I am always a perfect driver (40%) • No, I just keep an eye out for cops (14%) • Yes, but only around school zones (6%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) It's time to rein in Health Canada Letters must include the author's name, address and daytime phone number. Anony- mous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publica- tion is not guaranteed. Email: cvernon@metroland.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters policy 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca or realestate@theifp.ca) Classified Call Centre 1-855-415-8237 haltonhillsclassads@metroland.com Accounting 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage.