USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS AT HEART OF NOTORIOUS MURDER CASES

A couple of court cases currently receiving notoriety indicate
everything that is wrong in our society. The common denominator in
both is the use of illegal drugs.

In the Robert Pickton case, most of the young female victims seemed
to have come from a decent family environment, only to fall in with
the "wrong" crowd. They subsequently became hooked on drugs and, to
support their habit, were forced by pimps and dealers to the street
where they became prey to a mass killer.

In the Walker case, a young woman from a seemingly loving and caring
home fell in with the "wrong" crowd. The end result was different
when Walker, out of frustration with the justice system, took matters
into his own hands.

Why are pimps and drug dealers so protected by the law? Thousands of
our sons and daughters are being seriously damaged by drug use, and
our society is consequently under attack through break-ins, muggings,
prostitution, etc. -- all because of the justice system's failure to
protect us.

There are no decent drug dealers or pimps.

They are poisoning our country and are as dangerous a threat as
terrorists. The multimillions of dollars spent on these court cases
could have been used more prudently through more effective prevention
and punishment programs.

Neither case will send a message to pimps and drug dealers, who seem
to be untouchable.

Our police budget could probably be cut in half and a substantial tax
saving realized if illegal drug use was brought under control.

James Kozmyk

Saskatoon