DON'T FORGET THAT DRUG USE IS STILL A CRIME

Re: Police, Crown draw drug line, Feb. 22

Combatting our city's drug problem requires a combination of both
social and legal solutions. While Vancouver has been in the forefront
of social initiatives such as treatment programs and supervised
injection sites, we seem to have forgotten that drug use is a
criminal activity that has much wider implications for society.

Vancouver and surrounding communities continue to exhibit some of the
highest rates of property crime and auto theft in North America. The
overriding cause is drug use. In addition, something is wrong in our
city if school grounds must be cleaned daily to remove used syringes.
The historical policies are clearly not working.

It is time for laws and enforcement tools that protect auto and
homeowners from break-ins and school children from used syringes.

We have a serious drug problem in our city. Increased enforcement
against public drug use is a positive step towards making Vancouver's
streets more safe.

Greg Mazur

Vancouver