Pubdate: Wed, 09 May 2012
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 N. D. Mansfield
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: N. D. Mansfield

SELLERS, BUYERS MAKE A MARKET

Re: "Notorious skipper convicted by U.S. jury," the Journal, May 7.

The continuous and irrepressible attention given to drug trafficking
and the connection to Colombia is as big a smoke screen as could be
imagined. John (Phil) Sterling is reported to have been caught with
cocaine and marijuana worth $300 million - to whom? A commodity is
only worth what purchasers are willing to pay.

U.S. citizens spend more than $40 billion a year buying cocaine and
marijuana. If they stopped buying their "recreational" drugs tomorrow,
this $300-million shipment that was seized would be worthless.

Governments spend billions of dollars a year to combat drug
trafficking. But I never see individuals being jailed for purchasing
cocaine for personal use.

I believe our respective governments have the cart before the
horse.

N. D. Mansfield,

St. Albert
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D