WHERE'S THE PROOF TO BACK THE TORIES' TOUGH TALK ON CRIME?

I recently received a one-page brochure from the federal
Conservatives asking me, "Who do you think is on the right track on crime?"

I'd like to answer that question for myself, but first I need more information.

The flyer states "the Conservative government will clean up drug
crime," followed by a list which includes: "Punish drug pushers with
more jail time, Keep junkies in rehab and off the streets, Crack down
on cross border drug smuggling."

How much will it cost Canadians to increase the sentences of "drug
pushers?" Will the increased jail time make Canadians safer? Can the
Conservatives provide research evidence showing that increasing
prison sentences for traffickers results in fewer drug crimes?

What is a "junkie," and to what drugs are they addicted? Does that
include pharmaceutical drug addicts who are not "on the streets?"
What about tobacco pushers who are responsible for about 30,000
deaths a year in Canada? Will the Conservative government put them in jail too?

How will the Conservative government "keep junkies in rehab" given
the ethical and legal requirements for informed consent? For how long
will they be kept in rehab?

What research evidence can they show that mandatory treatment for
drug addicts is successful and will make our country safer?

What are the economic costs associated with the plan to "crack down
on cross-border crime?" More generally, how much will the
Conservatives spend on "cleaning up drug crime," if elected?

John Anderson

Chairman, criminology department

Vancouver Island University