Pubdate: Thu, 06 Mar 2008
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Abbotsford News
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Eric Myrholm
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n234/a06.html

CRIME AND DRUGS GO HAND IN HAND

Editor, The News;

In the Feb. 28 issue of your paper, letter writer Gilbert 
Currie-Johnson asserts we can reduce crime by stopping the 
prohibition of drugs.

Crime, violence and drug use go hand in hand.Six times as many 
homicides are committed by people under the influence of drugs, as 
those who are looking for money to buy drugs. Most drug crimes aren't 
committed by people trying to pay for drugs, they're committed by 
people on drugs.

Only about five per cent  of inmates in federal prison are there 
because of simple possession. Most drug criminals are in jail, even 
on possession charges, because they have plea-bargained down from 
major trafficking offences or more violent crimes.

Apologists say dollars are wasted in anti-drug efforts, but for those 
kids saved from drug addiction this is hardly wasted money.

Our fight against drug abuse and addiction is an ongoing struggle 
that should be treated like any other social problem. Would we give 
up on education or poverty simply because we haven't eliminated all problems?

Compared to the social costs of drug abuse and addiction - whether in 
taxpayer dollars or in pain and suffering - government spending on 
drug control is minimal.

The legalization lobby claims drugs are no more dangerous than 
alcohol. But drunk driving is one of the primary killers of North 
Americans. Do we want our bus drivers, nurses and airline pilots to 
be able to take drugs one evening and operate freely at work the next day?

Do we want to add to the destruction by making drugged driving 
another primary killer?

Who should we believe about the danger of drugs? Researchers who are 
concerned about the health of a nation, or users who feel that they 
have something to gain by the legalization of drugs?

I would side with the researchers who are looking after our health.

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford
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