Pubdate: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 Source: Penticton Western (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Penticton Western Contact: http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310 Author: R.A. Dagneau BAND-AID SOLUTIONS In response to Julius Bloomfield's letter entitled "We Won't Tolerate Illegal Drug Trade" the suggestions he has made are a "Band-Aid" in themselves. The problem of drug addicts and the criminal activity that results from their addiction, more often is a result of those addicts/criminals having been brought up by parents who lacked the skills necessary to parent effectively. They often grew up in homes where there was a lack of love and affection, absence of discipline and/or being held responsible and accountable for their actions. To suggest that pawnbrokers and small money lending institutions as well as the public pay the price for this is not solving the problem and is most unfair. There are people who are responsible, law-abiding citizens who may occasionally have a need to borrow against a paycheque from a small money lending institution in order to feed their family due to an unforeseen financial emergency. To make these small businesses pay excessively high license costs is most unfair to them and to those who use the institutions responsibly. The problem starts at home. Perhaps the public funding he suggests being provided to fight drug operations would be better spent by providing a government funded course for young parents to teach them the skills required to ensure the best possible chance of bringing their children up to be loving, responsible law abiding citizens. R.A. Dagneau Okanagan Falls - --- MAP posted-by: Beth