DRUG BUSTS OBVIOUSLY HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON CRIME

Re: 'We've chopped off the head of the snake,' Dec. 13

How many times have we seen photos of smug police officers sitting
behind stacks of drugs, firearms and piles of money? Why do we keep
seeing them, if the busts work?

Until we start treating drug addiction as a medical problem, and
admit that our present drug policies only make criminal gangs rich
and powerful, this will continue. The only thing that happens when
you arrest a drug dealer is that you create a job opportunity.

This investigation has probably cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
It will cost as much or more in court, and many of the individuals
will likely be found not guilty. It will doubtless cause shootings as
up-and-coming dealers fight to fill the vacuum, and it will have no
effect on the overall drug scene. In addition, countless policeman
have been taken off the streets and will continue to be so throughout
the trials.

Tony Smith

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition of Drugs

Langley