MANDATORY DRUG PROGRAMS NEEDED

I am an ex-junkie who spent the better part of three years doing
heroin and living on the streets of Whalley.

Looking back on that time, I am convinced that if we would have had a
more rigid system like the one I propose, I would not have spent
these three years being such a drain on society, hurting not just
myself, but others around me in the process.

You should serve an automatic six months in a secure detox facility
for first arrest and conviction for any property type crime (i.e.
shoplifting/theft/break and enter, etc). When arrested, it should be
mandatory to test for drug use to ascertain whether the person is a
drug addict. A forced detox scenario, like prison but more structured
towards the safe detox of its inmates.

This time would serve as both detox and rehab for the person, who
upon release would then attend mandatory drug counselling and/or
NA/AA meetings and visit with a parole officer until no longer needed.

This system would nip the dope fiend behaviour in the bud and would
also serve to avoid any more crimes related to this person's drug dependence.

I realize this is an expensive system, but the future avoidance of
taxpayer affecting property crimes would eventually pay off, not to
mention the positive influence these reformed dope fiends would have
on society, as contributing members.

The three years that I spent in Whalley as a heroin addict, I
shoplifted constantly to feed my habit.

Every single time I was arrested, and it happened on numerous
occasions, the police would always let me go on my own recognizance.
I would then proceed to the closest store and steal once again with
no thought at all to the consequences -- there of course being no
real consequences.

A junkie thinks about today, not about tomorrow, so giving him his
requisite "promise to appear" dated for three months in the future
has absolutely no effect. Stop the drug dependence, stop the resulting crime.

I no longer live in Surrey, but I read the Surrey Leader online and I
find that crime has gotten worse since I left, with more random
violence and more brazen criminals. Most of these crimes are
committed by drug addicts who, if not for their drug dependence would
probably all be law-abiding citizens.

I had never been arrested for anything before becoming a drug addict,
and I have never been arrested for anything since I left detox seven
years ago. I now lead a clean and sober life and crime is the last
thing on my mind.

N. White, Quebec