POT ADVOCATES DON'T SURPRISE

To the Editor:

It is not surprising that local marijuana advocates would be against
the new federal crime bill that takes a hard line against drug
offenses. They would like us to believe that the mandatory sentences
it proposes will do everything from raise the prison population to
increase prostitution. Yet, they seem to forget that this legislation
is only imposing tougher penalties to laws that already exist and
force judges to apply more suitable sentences.

They vilify this new legislation because it moves them farther away
from their goal of legalization which in itself is a failed ideal.
Unless we are willing to legalize all drugs in any amount, for any
person, at any time there will be crime.

Am I to believe that with the legalization of marijuana, the black
market will suddenly no longer have a need for crack or meth? And if
all drugs are legalized how does the meth head pay for his drugs?
Since I have yet to meet a meth head or crack head capable of holding
down a job, I would doubt that he is working and would still have to
obtain his money illegally.

Canadians are frustrated by the revolving door justice system and for
years (and) have been calling for changes in the sentencing of
criminals that think of their sentences as a cost of doing business.
This new legislation along with the youth violence bill and bill C-2
proposed by the Conservatives will remove some of the discretion of
the judges who view the rehabilitation of offenders more important
than the rights of law abiding citizens.

It would only be those that are breaking these laws that would have a
problem with more suitable sentences.

Robert Leggett,

Castlegar, B.C.