Pubdate: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Valerie Coles OLD-SCHOOL RESPONSE TO DRUG CRIME HAS ADVERSE EFFECTS Re: B.C. has shortage of high-security courtrooms; more high-risk gang members await trial than venues to prosecute them, Nov. 21 Quite a game they're playing, slaughtering anyone in their path, whether bystander or competing player. As in the board game Monopoly, gaining more territory is the goal. This continuing craziness is costing all of us. Yet we continue to drag out the same old, dinosaur -- our punitive, crime-based, jailhouse approach -- hoping for a miracle. Demand for drugs doesn't change by cutting off supply or jailing dealers. It will take a totally new, research-based approach to end this madness. Either that or it could be you or me at the next roll of the dice. Valerie Coles Director, InnerChange Foundation, North Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake