LEGALIZED DRUGS ARE WORTH A TRY

Re: "Legalize drugs to reduce crime," letter, Oct. 12.

I don't believe in totally legalizing drugs, but the concept of
providing free prescription drugs to those who choose to wreck their
lives makes sense.

The street addict has no means except crime to get dollars for drugs.
I was ripped off, through a car theft, while I was hiking in a
provincial park. The thieves netted more than $5,000 worth of goods
that were likely sold for a only a few hundred dollars. The police had
few consoling words and said, "Don't carry valuables in your car
regardless that goods are locked in a trunk."

The novel idea of making free drugs available to hardcore addicts
might have kept them from breaking into my car. If offering free
prescription drugs to addicts reduces or eliminates break-ins and
thefts, then such a program could have merit.

How long would a test of a free drug program take to assess its
validity and who in government would have the courage to initiate
legislative action on what some might consider a radical but perhaps
worthwhile program? Victoria is surely a valid testing ground.

Ron Eckroth

Victoria