SOCIETY MUST TAKE A STAND ON DRUG USE

Illegal drug use and crime continue to headline all forms of media
presentation in Canada and around the world.

The attention is normal given our ability to both gather and
distribute information and the fact that we are naturally attracted
to behaviour that strays from the norm, but the sheer volume of
criminal activity also defines who we are and where our society is headed.

Like most who have been involved in the police profession, I often
wonder if there are any basic structural adjustments that can be made
to reduce the misery and havoc caused by crime. Arrest and detention
alone are obviously not the answer in and of themselves, but neither
is the revolving-door, easy treatment of offenders who have
absolutely no interest in becoming contributing members of society.

Drug offences seem to be at the root of a large volume of illegal
activity but, while the harm both individually and collectively is
clear, there is a very clear division of opinion as to just what
should be done. On the one side there is a group that believes that
it is the illegality of illicit drugs that creates profit for
criminals and gives rise to the thefts, break and enters and other
crimes that addicts perform to support their habits. On the other
side is a group that believes that the use of drugs for enjoyment or
mind altering is so inherently wrong that society cannot endorse the
activity under any circumstances.

As with most arguments, there are good points on both sides and the
middle ground is "grey" rather than "black and white." Some aspects
are certain, however, and these would include that most communities
do not want a large portion of their membership to be addicted and
non-productive; they would like to feel both personally safe and free
from property crime; and, perhaps most importantly, they would like
to feel that the young people within our society are safe from harm.

The profits from the illicit drug trade are undeniable and seem to
increase with each passing year. For example, a recent drug seizure
orchestrated by the RCMP international drug squad in Montreal netted
some 22.5 tons of hashish worth over $220 million at street level.
Would taking the profits out of the process truly eliminate the problem?

In our advanced state of advocating individual rights, I suppose such
an argument can be made, but as a parent, grandparent and ex-police
officer I remain vehemently opposed. Drugs have their place in
medical practice, but society and its institutions are already in a
weakened state and must take a stand, particularly for the sake of
upcoming generations.

I was heartened to read the June 18 story in the North Shore News
entitled Marchers Confront Dealers. The article described how
leadership within the Squamish First Nation marched throughout their
reserve in West Vancouver confronting known drug dealers within their
community. The message was clear: We know who you are and we don't
want drugs in our community anymore. This positive move was echoed by
the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation who burned a small wooden fort on
their North Vancouver reserve, as reported in the North Shore News on
June 28. The fort was a suspected location used by both adults and
children when involved in drug abuse.

I applaud the members of both the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First
Nation groups who have decided to change the environment that allows
the existence of drug trafficking. How much illegal activity,
including drug abuse, exists within our communities largely because
we close our eyes and refuse to get involved?

The use of illegal drugs within our society is a serious,
multi-faceted problem. Regardless of the legality, the fact that such
substances exist will cause many to want to experiment, resulting in
addiction for some. Legalization, control and treatment seem to offer
one avenue of approach, but I cannot help but react negatively to a
society that provides even partial support to such destructive activity.

Taking drugs for personal pleasure is not OK. By all means, provide
treatment and support for those who are addicted but, given the
damage and harm created by drug trafficking, severely punish those
who would benefit from the misfortune of others to the level that
will discourage participation.