REGULATE DRUGS

Re: "What a cracked up government looks like on the street," Nigel
Hannaford, Opinion, Sept. 9.

Mandatory minimum sentences make the hand-wringing,
punishment-fetishists happy, but do nothing to reduce or deter crime.
We need look no further than the U.S. for proof.

If Harper really cared about reducing crime and sticking it to the
criminals, he would repeal drug prohibition and regulate all drugs,
stealing the commodities right out from under the gangsters.

But it seems the "conservatives" are more interested in hiring
additional cops, building more jails and filling them with people
under the age of 30, usurping more civil rights and liberties, and
mongering more public fear.

Lucky for the "conservatives" they have Nigel Hannaford to help them
with their propaganda campaign. Too bad so many Canadians are still
gullible enough to swallow it.

Russell Barth,

Nepean, ON