LEGALIZATION, CONTROL OF DRUGS ONLY SOLUTION

I want to commend the Georgia Straight for the range of articles that
you have published related to the terrible carnage caused by drug
addiction and related criminal activity. I have been involved in the
world of addiction, mental health, and corrections for much of my
life. I have come to the conclusion that the only way for us to go, as
a society, is to implement the full and total legalization of all
addictive substances.

We need a government that is intelligent and courageous enough to
legalize all addictive substances, develop clear and enforceable
regulations for the production, distribution, and sale of these
substances, while at the same time introducing an effective and
comprehensive educational program as to the effects of this
misuse-and, of course, a range of comprehensive treatment programs.
Anything else is, at the best, only a stopgap measure.

Bert Massiah

Vancouver