FORGOTTEN 'VICTIMS' OF THE DRUG TRADE

As Collingwood residents living only a couple of blocks from Smith Street,
we are well aware of its role in the trafficking of drugs. We strongly
support any measures targeted at the dealers/criminals, and steps to
alleviate the misery and suffering of the users/victims.

There are other victims of this obnoxious trade, however, as those of us who
have suffered multiple burglaries can testify.

The initial stress of the robbery is compounded by the stress of having to
convince your insurance assessor that you really did own the property you
claim to have lost; in our case a process that took over three months in one
claim. Receipts, user manuals, guarantees or warranties had to be retrieved
as evidence of ownership not an easy task when smaller items such as CDs,
ornaments or small electrical items are involved.

We suspect it is less than coincidental that Smith Street also has a large
number of second-hand dealers; in fact the police advised us to trawl
through the many dealers' shops to see if we could spot our stolen goods!

If the owners of these establishments were required to demand proof of
ownership from the persons selling to them, at least to the standard
insurance companies require proof from the victims of burglaries, instead of
the minimum standard of proof of identity currently required, perhaps the
incidence of theft would decline, and we could rest a little easier in our
fortresses/homes.

MARGARET AND GRAEME CALDER, Collingwood