Pubdate: Sat, 06 Oct 2007
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Bruce Symington

NO POINT TO BUSTS

To the editor:

So, the cops have been at it again, arresting lots of people, seizing
drugs, money and property (The Daily News, Sept 27).

What are the results? Pictures of mounds of evidence and smirking cops
are not results. Results are what happens on the streets.

You quote the cops speculating that their activities will make a large
dent in the supply of illegal drugs.

What proof do they offer? An investigation into the results of police
activities would be most helpful in evaluating their efficacy.

Does the price of pot, coke or LSD rise after such a raid? How long
does it take for the price to return to pre-bust levels? This would
help us understand whether the efforts of the police are in fact
making a difference or not.

How about it? Write a follow-up piece that discusses these issues.
Then let the police justify their activities in light of actual
results, not just the photo ops that deluge us after they have their
fun.

BRUCE SYMINGTON

Medicine Hat, Alta.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath