Pubdate: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 Source: Penticton Western (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Penticton Western Contact: http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310 Author: Julius Bloomfield WE WON'T TOLERATE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE There has been much discussion lately concerning the level of small crime in certain areas of Penticton. In order to combat this wave of crime, we must first look at the cause of the problem and then deal with those causes. I (think) the RCMP and social workers in this area will agree that this type of crime is directly related to the level of drug abuse in the city. These criminals (may be) drug addicts looking for the easiest thing to steal and turn it into enough cash for their next fix. To reduce the level of small crime, we must react to the hard drug trade within our city. Unfortunately, the RCMP does not have the manpower and budget to carry out expensive sting operations on small drug dealers and the court system passes sentences on the dealers that are considered little more than a business expense to the dealers. As a society, we must be prepared to act and give our elected representatives in council and the provincial government the direction to deal with this situation. My suggestions are as follows: - - Increase the business license cost to the pawnbrokers and small money lending institutions. These businesses (can be a) tool for turning the stolen goods into cash for drugs. My understanding is that they cannot be barred from doing business but high license costs will make them think twice about being here; - - Extend a budget to the RCMP for drug enforcement operations. As concerned citizens we must lobby our politicians to send a direct and forceful message to the justice system that we are not prepared to tolerate this trade in illegal drugs, so that sentences passed onto the dealers will justify not only the crime but also the cost of the police operations to bring them to justice. As a society we must instigate a system of drug rehabilitation that is more effective than the current "Band-aid" solutions being used. Such programmes do not come cheap, but compared to the cost of the alternative on us a society (and also the insurance rates as a result from the claims arising from these crimes) then I think it will prove to be money well spent. Julius Bloomfield Penticton - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake