LEGALIZING DRUGS A BETTER PATH THAN STIFFER SENTENCES

It makes me want to scream when I read letters like the ones published
Monday saying that gang violence exists because of "lenient sentences
handed down by our courts" or because of our "lax justice system." Do
these letter writers really think that threatening tougher sentencing
is going to make a difference?

Evidence shows criminals don't care about the sentence and that it has
no bearing on how they lead their lives. The United States has tougher
sentences, with a larger percentage of its population behind bars. Has
this been any help? We all know the answer to that.

Recall a time when alcohol was prohibited in Vancouver. Gangs ran
rampant and made a heck of a lot of money dealing in alcohol, an
illegal drug. Tougher courts weren't the answer; legalization was.

Come on, Vancouver. Let's be a leader in thinking outside the box and
start by legalizing marijuana. Let's take control of that industry --
tax it, standardize and regulate it, and sleep better knowing that our
kids who try marijuana won't unknowingly get exposed to crystal meth
and that none of us will get shot in the dealers' crossfire.

Tessa Nicholl

Vancouver