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
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