Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2016
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Abbotsford News
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Frank Wirrell

LEGALIZING DRUGS IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE

Editor:

I have noted the attitude of the federal and provincial governments
and also some local governments with respect to the fentanyl crisis
and can only say that I am totally appalled by the lack of any real
integrity with many of what I can only describe as advertisements in
the media.

The information seems to give the green light to drug users and
encourages young people to participate by seeking to open more and
more safe injection sites and also additional medical facilities to
deal with drug use. The comments generally suggest no blame or shame
in addition to the reference of recreational users. Such users are
addicts regardless of any label you might want to put on them.

Providing these additional facilities is nothing less than giving a
bottle of whiskey to an alcoholic and with the no blame or shame
attitude virtually agreeing to impaired driving with no real concern
for the general public.

I definitely believe there is a crucial problem with drug usage and
with the current attitude of both the federal and provincial
governments the problem with only get worse. The eventual legalization
of marijuana will only make things worse. The suggestion has been made
that the government will make millions in tax dollars despite the fact
that is it clearly known and recognized that the taxes on tobacco
products does not even come close to the expenses incurred from
tobacco usage.

Legalizing drug usage of any kind is totally insane and all financial
benefits go to the promoters who have absolutely no interest in the
lives of their clients other than to reap the financial benefits. I am
totally amazed by the lack of both insight and moral integrity of
those in government and those involved in the drug trade. It seems
that the sole interest is financial gain at the expense of the
citizens who make the wise and sensible decision to stay away from
said products.

Additionally lawyers who are willing to represent drug dealers and
seek either acquittal or minimum sentencing demonstrate they are not
worthy of their position.

What is needed is for all assets held by drug dealers be permanently
seized and forfeited to the Crown in addition to any other punishment
set down by the courts. We also witness some judges that refuse to
deal appropriately with criminal offences and obviously work in
conjunction with lawyers who knowingly pervert evidence to either gain
an acquittal or minor sentencing. Further prisons should be run as
prisons and not first class hotels which mandates that inmates are
made to provide cleaning and other services required for their
accommodation.

The time has long since passed for law abiding citizens to stand up to
this situation and the media should be providing them with moral
support rather than seeking to degrade law enforcement and honest
citizens for speaking against what is now being forced on the general
public by all levels of government. I would ask for a response from
any government official detailing what they might consider offensive
in my comments.

Frank Wirrell, Abbotsford
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