Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2007
Source: Merritt Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Merritt Herald
Contact:  http://www.merrittherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1446
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n181/a01.html
Author: Howard J. Wooldridge

HISTORY REPEATING

Editor:

As a retired police officer and student of history, your appeal for
citizens to call the RCMP when they suspect drug activity is the wrong
approach. You are giving the citizens the false hope that if just
enough calls are made, Merritt will become safe from the violence of
the illegal drug trade.

Hope is not a strategy, nor should it be policy.

History teaches us that one can pass all the laws one cares to but no
one can repeal the laws of supply and demand. Every RCMP and constable
knows that each and every drug dealer or grow-ops taken down creates a
job opportunity which is quickly filled.

As the United States learned in 1933, having the government regulate,
control and manage dangerous drugs eliminates the black market and the
violence. False hope is nearly the same is lying to your readers.

Howard J. Wooldridge

Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Matt Elrod