Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jun 2004 Source: Surrey Now (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc., A Canwest Company Contact: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462 Author: Christine Eden Related article: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n805/a07.html?81317 HEADLINE DISMAYS READER The Editor, While I am sad that this has happened to Gary Robinson, it dismays me to see such a headline. It's almost as if you are saying this is a rare case. That isn't so. This is what is happening every day to families all over. Same story line, different stretch. It just hits the headlines because he was a public figure. Every day families are faced with heartbreak over daughters prostituting themselves and sons both pimping and selling drugs. Until this government does a reality check and takes control of situations such as this, it will continue. Our elected officials need to take control, put some services in that are run by the government, remove the riff-raff who try to take advantage of the addict and have some firm guidelines with adequate funding. Get some education and prevention programs out there for both our schools and parents and stiffer penalties for the dealer. The fine should match the crime. Studies have shown that $1 spent on prevention is worth $12 saved on policing and health-care costs. Christine Eden, South Surrey - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager