Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jul 2006
Source: North Shore News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 North Shore News
Contact:  http://www.nsnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/311
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

SOCIETY MUST TAKE A STAND ON DRUG USE

Illegal drug use and crime continue to headline all forms of media 
presentation in Canada and around the world.

The attention is normal given our ability to both gather and 
distribute information and the fact that we are naturally attracted 
to behaviour that strays from the norm, but the sheer volume of 
criminal activity also defines who we are and where our society is headed.

Like most who have been involved in the police profession, I often 
wonder if there are any basic structural adjustments that can be made 
to reduce the misery and havoc caused by crime. Arrest and detention 
alone are obviously not the answer in and of themselves, but neither 
is the revolving-door, easy treatment of offenders who have 
absolutely no interest in becoming contributing members of society.

Drug offences seem to be at the root of a large volume of illegal 
activity but, while the harm both individually and collectively is 
clear, there is a very clear division of opinion as to just what 
should be done. On the one side there is a group that believes that 
it is the illegality of illicit drugs that creates profit for 
criminals and gives rise to the thefts, break and enters and other 
crimes that addicts perform to support their habits. On the other 
side is a group that believes that the use of drugs for enjoyment or 
mind altering is so inherently wrong that society cannot endorse the 
activity under any circumstances.

As with most arguments, there are good points on both sides and the 
middle ground is "grey" rather than "black and white." Some aspects 
are certain, however, and these would include that most communities 
do not want a large portion of their membership to be addicted and 
non-productive; they would like to feel both personally safe and free 
from property crime; and, perhaps most importantly, they would like 
to feel that the young people within our society are safe from harm.

The profits from the illicit drug trade are undeniable and seem to 
increase with each passing year. For example, a recent drug seizure 
orchestrated by the RCMP international drug squad in Montreal netted 
some 22.5 tons of hashish worth over $220 million at street level. 
Would taking the profits out of the process truly eliminate the problem?

In our advanced state of advocating individual rights, I suppose such 
an argument can be made, but as a parent, grandparent and ex-police 
officer I remain vehemently opposed. Drugs have their place in 
medical practice, but society and its institutions are already in a 
weakened state and must take a stand, particularly for the sake of 
upcoming generations.

I was heartened to read the June 18 story in the North Shore News 
entitled Marchers Confront Dealers. The article described how 
leadership within the Squamish First Nation marched throughout their 
reserve in West Vancouver confronting known drug dealers within their 
community. The message was clear: We know who you are and we don't 
want drugs in our community anymore. This positive move was echoed by 
the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation who burned a small wooden fort on 
their North Vancouver reserve, as reported in the North Shore News on 
June 28. The fort was a suspected location used by both adults and 
children when involved in drug abuse.

I applaud the members of both the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First 
Nation groups who have decided to change the environment that allows 
the existence of drug trafficking. How much illegal activity, 
including drug abuse, exists within our communities largely because 
we close our eyes and refuse to get involved?

The use of illegal drugs within our society is a serious, 
multi-faceted problem. Regardless of the legality, the fact that such 
substances exist will cause many to want to experiment, resulting in 
addiction for some. Legalization, control and treatment seem to offer 
one avenue of approach, but I cannot help but react negatively to a 
society that provides even partial support to such destructive activity.

Taking drugs for personal pleasure is not OK. By all means, provide 
treatment and support for those who are addicted but, given the 
damage and harm created by drug trafficking, severely punish those 
who would benefit from the misfortune of others to the level that 
will discourage participation.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman