IT MIGHT dampen Art Hanger's enthusiasm for Singapore style law
enforcement somewhat when he realizes Singapore has an addiction rate
12% higher than the U.S. ("Hanger's bang-on," April 13.) Not many
places can say that. It sounds as though Art Hanger wants to turn
Canada into a prison gulag with legions of cops patrolling for
bubblegum chewers and pot smokers instead of enforcing laws against
real crimes.

Incidentally, the prison policy down here in California costs so much
that education budgets are being slashed to pay prison guards.

Moreover, reductions in crime are occurring in states that haven't
adopted draconian sentencing policies.

Hanger's ideas are not a prescription for a happy and peaceful
Canada.

Redford Givens
San Francisco

(Perhaps. But we should not just keep releasing violent offenders over
and over again, either.)