Pubdate: Tue, 02 Oct 2001
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Ann Livingston

PUT ADDICTS ON PRESCRIPTION AND CRIME RATE WILL PLUNGE

Thanks to Jon Ferry for his excellent column on police crime statistics and 
the trauma Vancouver citizens feel with our thousands of break-ins.

I live in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

It is my understanding that Vancouver has the highest car break-in rate in 
North America.

Home break-and-enters are recorded in a separate category and are also 
extremely high here.

Although his suggestion of amputating limbs of those caught and convicted 
may seem both justifiable and effective to many, prescribed heroin and 
cocaine for people addicted to drugs may be a more effective and acceptable 
solution.

Prescription programs for addicts may also decrease crime related to 
low-level street dealing while putting a dent in the estimated $600-billion 
international illicit drug trade.

There are many other logical, cost-saving and socially responsible reasons 
for prescription programs made by policy analysts and disease prevention 
experts.

Again, thanks to Ferry for expressing so well the frustration we feel when 
victimized by our fellow criminal citizens.

Ann Livingston
Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Beth