Pubdate: Fri, 06 Oct 2006
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Author: Michelle Amann

WHAT IS ROLE OF TAXPAYERS?

Iread Russell Barth's letter comparing drug users to smokers, 
drinkers and overeaters.

I am none of these things and still feel compelled to write this letter.

The truth is that the extra taxes one pays for cigarettes, alcohol 
and fatty foods, combined with taxes collected from having a job and 
owning a home, partially go to drug users in countless forms - police 
protection for us, court costs, medical costs, food banks, the 
building and supporting of homeless shelters, city works wages for 
cleaning up after squatters.

And I could go on and on about how smokers, drinkers and overeaters 
are a functioning part of our society.

To compare these two groups is disgusting. Mr. Barth owes an apology, 
in my view.

Michelle Amann

Port Coquitlam
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MAP posted-by: Elaine