Pubdate: Sat, 15 Apr 2006 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Brian Mason BIKER CRIME ROOTED IN DRUGS Lost amidst the gruesome headlines and photos of the gangland shootings is the understanding that organized crime has always operated in the domain of high-profit illegal activities. In the Al Capone era, it was booze and gambling and prostitution. As the government moved in to regulate booze and gambling and to increase its revenues, organized crime went shopping for other lucrative ventures. Voila, the illegal drug trade. Instead of watching the police use this latest violent episode to crank up the hysteria over biker gangs, let's just modify our drug laws. It's cheaper, safer, faster and more effective than the never-ending disaster of the war on drugs. Connect the dots. Brian Mason, Victoria. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom