PUT ADDICTS ON PRESCRIPTION AND CRIME RATE WILL PLUNGE

Thanks to Jon Ferry for his excellent column on police crime statistics and
the trauma Vancouver citizens feel with our thousands of break-ins.

I live in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

It is my understanding that Vancouver has the highest car break-in rate in
North America.

Home break-and-enters are recorded in a separate category and are also
extremely high here.

Although his suggestion of amputating limbs of those caught and convicted
may seem both justifiable and effective to many, prescribed heroin and
cocaine for people addicted to drugs may be a more effective and acceptable
solution.

Prescription programs for addicts may also decrease crime related to
low-level street dealing while putting a dent in the estimated $600-billion
international illicit drug trade.

There are many other logical, cost-saving and socially responsible reasons
for prescription programs made by policy analysts and disease prevention
experts.

Again, thanks to Ferry for expressing so well the frustration we feel when
victimized by our fellow criminal citizens.

Ann Livingston
Vancouver