Pubdate: Sat, 20 May 2006
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Alastair James Berry

LEGALIZE DRUGS AND CRIME WILL LESSEN

To the Editor,

Re: The Conservatives' proposed new crime bill.

If drugs were available legally, at $2 a hit (or less), what incentive
would gangs or organized crime groups have to stay in business?

I reckon far more deaths have occurred due to the violence associated
with getting and retaining the vast amounts of cash that the present
status of drugs causes, than from deaths  due to drug overdoses alone.

Certainly I can see a vast outcry from the police anti-drug squads,
corrections officers' union and all the people who staff our courts.
They would scream bloody murder to see their  livelihood threatened.

Still, if Harper is  going to be tough on gangs, gun and drug crimes
he should at least recognize and remove the causes, first.

Alastair James Berry,

Nanaimo
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MAP posted-by: Derek