Pubdate: Fri, 26 Oct 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Ted Gamble

WAR ON DRUGS BOUND TO FAIL

Regarding the six people shot dead in Surrey: In the 1930s a similar level
of violence was widespread throughout North America in relation to the
illegal sale and consumption of alcohol, and legalization was the remedy our
society chose to take.

Alcohol was regulated and taxed by the government, thus eliminating
organized crime. Many European countries have successfully adopted a
similar approach with narcotics, with the same results achieved with
alcohol 70 years ago in North America.

One only has to look to the dismal results of the "war on drugs" in
the U.S. to conclude that the Harper government's illegal-drug policy
initiative will be ineffective. Organized crime will continue to
flourish as long as we provide it with the means to do so.

Ted Gamble

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin