Pubdate: Fri, 03 Feb 2017
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Author: Gary Blidook
Page: A7

DEATH TO DRUG PUSHERS

Editor: It is always with great interest that I read the column of Dr. 
Gifford-Jones.

This is a person to whom the title "a wise elder" could certainly
apply. I have been vacillating on writing a letter in response to the
drug crisis we have here in B.C., and seeing the article "Death to
drug traffickers" finally gave me the boot I needed.

I was a teenager in the 1960s, and although I never did many drugs, my
views on people who sold drugs was cemented by a tune done by the band
Steppenwolf called The Pusher. If you have never heard it, please take
a few minutes to listen.

We've never had an epidemic like the current crisis, but I have seen
school chums, work buddies and friends whose lives have been destroyed
or ended by drugs. The war on drugs is BS; it should be the war on
pushers.

If there was a person walking our streets with a machete or a gun
indiscriminately killing people, there would have been a huge response
well before 700 deaths. Dare I say one or two would have been a
significant number for a massive response.

Part of the problem comes from our "holier than thou" politicians,
who, in spite of the fact many of us believe in the death penalty, are
going to save us from ourselves and not allow it.

There is little concern, other than a slap on the wrist, for those who
would carelessly kill other human beings for profit.

It is time to make the punishment fit the crime: Manslaughter at
least, if not out right murder, for pushing any drug that contains
fentanyl or carfentanil.

Possession only needed, regardless if you have managed to sell any of
the drug or not, if you have it you obviously intend to distribute
it.

Waiting for some "real" action from our so called leaders.

Gary Blidook, Kelowna
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MAP posted-by: Matt