IS IT TIME TO LEGALIZE DRUGS?

Our government is good at commissioning million-dollar studies to deal
with escalating gang issues that eventually wind up collecting dust in
some huge warehouse filled with similar studies. When the results are
released, there is a brief round of "tut-tuts" and nothing is done as per
usual. Recently, I advised my pregnant daughter and mother of my
18-month-old grandson that she and her husband should relocate to a
smaller city to raise their children. It breaks my heart to do so.

I never thought I would be in favour of legalizing drugs and prostitution,
but to me drug dealers and pimps are the scum of the earth and the cause
of all the misery on the Downtown Eastside.

If the government legalized and managed the sale of drugs, as they do
liquor and cigarettes, and government-run brothels were in place, there
would be less death and we would all profit from the tax revenue.

The money could be used for more subsidized housing and treatment programs
for those unfortunates enslaved by drugs and alcohol. No profit equals no
gangs, it's that simple.

BH, Surrey