I have a few thoughts concerning Kim Westad's article regarding break-ins
in Greater Victoria. "Addiction to drugs crime's common element", (Sept 14).

It would be more accurate to say that the common element in Victoria area
break-ins is the black market price of prohibited drugs. Fifteen percent of
alcohol users become alcoholics. Among cocaine users, about 8 percent
become dependent. For cigarettes, the percentage is reversed. About 90
percent of smokers are persistent daily users. The U.S. National Institute
on Drug Abuse have ranked caffeine more addictive than cannabis, and yet we
do not have coffee-related crime.

I was surprised by Constable Scott McGregor's statement that "90 percent"
of break-ins in the Victoria region are prohibition-related. This is much
higher than the Provincial figure of 60 percent as reported in The Chief
Coroner's Report of the Task Force into Illicit Narcotic Overdose Deaths in
British Columbia.

Though short on manpower, Saanich Police Sgt. Bob Love suggests we need "A
full-time task force, working seven days a week, 365 days a year ...
dedicated solely to solving break-ins.". Chief Coroner Vince Cain made
sixty-two recommendations in his report. The first was that the Provincial
Government establish an independent body under the aegis of the Legislative
Assembly of the Province, with powers of inquiry into matters relating to
the use and abuse of illicit and harmful substances in the province.

Sargent Love's suggested task-force would treat the symptom. I believe
Coroner Cain's recommendations would better focus our scarce resources on
the cause of prohibition-related crime and the treatment of drug addiction.

Matthew M. Elrod
Victoria, B.C.