Pubdate: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 Source: Langley Advance (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.langleyadvance.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248 Author: Kait Huziak Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n944/a10.html?1325 LEGAL DRUGS WOULD ADD CRIME Dear Editor, I completely disagree with Mr. Harvey [Law puts money in thugs' pockets, Oct. 16 Letters, Langley Advance]. While I respect his opinion, I have to say his statement is fallacious. He feels drugs should be legalized, and compares the prohibition of alcohol to the current-day drug trade. However, alcohol had been legal prior to the prohibition, and the legal desire was already there. Unlike alcohol, drugs were never legal in Canada. Do we need to legalize things just because there is a desire for it? Legalizing drugs would lead to an increase in use and increased levels of addiction. Alcohol is already a detriment to society. Legalizing drugs would only increase the number of drivers under some type of influence. Mr. Harvey believes that, if we legalize drugs, then the "monsters of the lower echelons" will be eliminated. Unfortunately, it would not decrease but increase the number of dealers. It would create a new dealer, like those who sell alcohol to minors. It's already easy for a minor to get tobacco and alcohol, and the number of teens excessively using is growing at an alarming rate. Do we really want to make access to mind-destroying drugs just as easy? On another note, Mr. Harvey said, "People who are addicted to drugs will get it by whatever means possible." Crime and drugs are closely related. Crime is a means of financing drug use. Drugs can cause people to commit crimes or engage in other dangerous situations. Making drugs legal could cause an increase in crime, as drugs would be more easily accessible. Drugs like cocaine, heroin, and any pill/herb under the sun have been illegal for a reason: they're harmful. If we legalize these potent substances, who determines what next harmful product should be readily available? If we make drugs legal, we as a country would be enabling a severe problem to grow out of control. If drugs were made readily available just blocks away from your house? I don't think having drug-crazed addicts around, buying their daily dosage of heroin, would help my property value. It's bad enough to be consumed by the culture any time you go near the Downtown East Side, but I am not about to roll over and allow it to consume my neighbourhood. Kait Huziak, Aldergrove - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D