Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jan 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: John Hickson

WE LACK THE WILL TO WAGE WAR ON DRUGS

The recent failure of the Crown prosecutors to go ahead with
prosecutions of the people caught with a boatload of marijuana, and
many other similar events, shows why the so-called war on drugs isn't
working.

I've lived through a few wars and I don't recall them to be quiet,
respectable, legalized affairs.

The only way to solve the drug problem is to ensure that the penalties
for trafficking are so severe that people will not run the risk of
being involved in the drug trade. As a taxpayer, I wouldn't mind
paying the costs associated with that type of punishment.

I fear we, as a society, just don't have the will to do what's
necessary to win a war on drugs. It's so much easier to give in and
legalize such products at the taxpayers' expense.

John Hickson,

Cobble Hill
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MAP posted-by: Derek