GET RID OF DRUGS, GET RID OF THE GANGS

Prince George has become a battleground in an organized crime "civil war."

The Independent Soldiers and their even more independent splinter
group have been shooting up the city since January this year.

So far several people have been injured and one person killed.

In addition, at least two innocent bystanders have nearly been killed
when their home was accidentally targeted in a shooting.

What these gangs are fighting over is the right to sell drugs to the
crack heads, junkies and addicts of the city.

Drugs are the cause of the battle and the fuel to keep it burning.

Unfortunately the old cliche that crime doesn't pay is not true.
Crime pays plenty, and we as a society are picking up the tab.

Addictions, homelessness and crime are a nasty, self-reinforcing cycle.

And yet, we lack sufficient drug rehabilitation facilities in this
province to handle the number of addicts who need treatment.

Investing in addictions counseling and recovery programs not only
benefits the patients, it benefits society as a whole.

Not only would we be improving the quality of life of the addicts, we
would reduce homelessness which is a major cost to our society and
black mark on our communities.

In addition, we would be taking away the prime market for organized
crime. Drug addicts often commit crimes to support their habit and
can become the victim of crime if they are unable to pay - like the
poor fellow police found shackled and beaten in a crack shack basement.

They also support the crack shacks, drug dealers and thugs who have
shoot-outs in restaurant parking lots and public streets.

Take away the junkies and crime will cease to pay.

To quote NDP homelessness critic David Chudnovsky, "It's a no brainer."