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 - --- MAP posted-by: Derek