Pubdate: Mon, 02 Mar 2009
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2009 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/feedback/?form=lettersToTheEditorForm
Website: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Martin Ouellette
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n241/a04.html

IN THE POCKET OF GANGS

"Drugs, we know, is the currency of gangs and organized crime," says 
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson - and, barring grammar, he's correct 
(Ottawa Vows To Toughen Laws Against Gangs - Feb. 28). There's only 
one sure way to make said currency tank even faster than the dollar 
and thus yank the financial rug from under gangster scum: the 
decriminalization of all drugs and the legalization of marijuana.

Mr. Nicholson's prescription for the problem of violence is to create 
more of it - more cops, more prisoners and thus a higher street price 
for all drugs. In a spiralling economy, the worst possible policy is 
to make the drug trade more lucrative than it already is - unless, of 
course, one is invested in the prison industry or lives in the pocket of gangs.

MARTIN OUELLETTE

Toronto
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