Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jul 2008
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 North Island Gazette
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Andrea Walkus-Andrew
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08.n658.a08.html

Crackdown does not work

Dear editor,

Respectfully to Wayne Derksen, convictions in the illegal drug trade
are not the answer. Look at the United States, one of the most
populated and richest countries, but it has one of the worst drug
problems in the world.

Their jails are overflowing with drug dealers and they are no closer
to finding solutions to drug woes.

The Netherlands has been a more lenient country, allowing the sale of
marijuana (and marijuana only), and their usage of this drug is lower
than the U.S.  (This data came from Drugwarfacts.com).

I also have a friend from South America who told me that the selling
of crack cocaine and cocaine is legal in her country, and is
relatively cheap, but there isn't the crime we have here in North America.

Some people are quick to put down harm reduction techniques, such as
the needle exchange program, because they think it's enabling users,
but it isn't.

I believe we should put our government money toward treatment for drug
abusers and any other substance abusers. That's a lot cheaper than
incarceration and far more effective.

Imprisoning drug dealers does nothing but allow lesser drug dealers to
move up in the ranks. Harm reduction and treatment centres will
eventually put the dealers out of business. I don't believe I am
naive, I believe in people and their ability to change.

Andrea Walkus-Andrew

Port Hardy
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