HOMELESSNESS HAS ROOTS

Editor:

Re: Tough love for today's hard cases, B.C. Views, Opinions, the Observer,
Dec. 24.

I compliment you for your article. For the past two years I have
volunteered at St. Joseph's church in Langley and as a result I have
developed a greater sensitivity and understanding for some of the
homeless. One the obvious facts that I have learned from the homeless
individuals is that about 90 per cent of the reason for their problems
is drug addiction.

It is unfortunate that government and others don't address the root
cause of this problem and that is drug dealers of all kinds. I believe
the criminal justice system should impose longer and harder sentences
for these dealers who are profiting from human weakness. It seems that
the system is putting the wrong people in prison.

Doc Street

Langley