LETTER OF THE DAY COLUMN

I WRITE regarding Licia Corbella's "Stop meth her message," column (Sept. 19).

How should Calgary respond to illegal methamphetamine use?

Here in the U.S., New York City chose the zero-tolerance approach
during the crack epidemic of the 1980s, opting to arrest and
prosecute as many offenders as possible.

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was smoking crack and
America's capital had the highest per capita murder rate in the country.

Yet, crack use declined in both cities simultaneously.

The younger generation saw first-hand what crack was doing to their
older brothers and sisters and decided for themselves crack was bad news.

This is not to say nothing can be done about methamphetamine.

Access to drug treatment is critical for the current generation of
meth users. Diverting resources away from prisons and into
cost-effective treatment would save tax dollars and lives.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Va.

(Thanks for the informative comments).