Pubdate: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2012 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://torontosun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Brenda James RESULTS OF SOFT SENTENCING Re "Ecstasy nation" (Jan. 29): Canada is the number one source country for synthetic drugs. This did not happen overnight. When the benefits of crime (money/greed/control) outweigh the punishment, then crime flourishes. Years of the leftist soft approach to crime and punishment have left Canadians with this shame and proves the soft approach does not work. Realistic prison sentencing for someone convicted of drug trafficking would be a deterrent for those convicted, and should be a general deterrent for everyone if the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime. What is the cost analysis of the revolving door approach of light sentencing -- police, courts, probation, legal aid, monetary and property losses, medical costs for victims' rehabilitation/hospitals, etc.? But no analysis can put a dollar amount on the wrecked lives because of what the drug traffickers and other criminal activities have done to users and those who love them. I commend Prime Minister Stephen Harpe! r for his tough stance on crime and his agenda to build more prisons. Brenda James Toronto (It would be nice if we could keep the traffickers in jail for at least as long as it takes the police to complete the paperwork) - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.