All of us in Vancouver are living with the collateral damage associated with
the War on Drugs: loved ones lost to addictions and overdose; some of the
worst recorded HIV rates in the industrialized world; an exploding hepatitis
C epidemic; drug-related property crime and public nuisance. Fighting wars
that cannot be won is hugely expensive for taxpayers and places ideology
ahead of pragmatism.

Why are we allowing U.S. ideology to dictate a domestic approach to
addictions that is hugely costly in human terms, and makes no sense
economically? Why didn't we learn our lesson when alcohol prohibition
on this continent failed in a blaze of unprecedented violence and corruption?

Congratulations to The Sun for daring to take a closer look at the War
on Drugs. Perhaps Dan Gardner's series will help push decision-makers
to look to other parts of the world that take more effective, less
costly approaches to reducing drug-related property crime and public
nuisance, and improving the lives of those who use drugs.

Warren O'Brian,
Vancouver