EDUCATOR CALLS FOR DEBATE ON PROHIBITION

A Langara College sociology instructor is calling for discussion of
legalizing drugs as a way to address gang-related violence.

Indira Prahst, who is also an antigang educator in the South Asian
community, noted that although she has always been against the use of
marijuana and other substances, she recognizes that disputes over
illegal drug markets is a major cause of gang wars.

"People are securing their turf and they're building their muscle by
getting guns," Prahst told the Straight. "If.you make this a legal
activity, you're not going to have these kinds of criminal
activities..I don't want to say that I support it [legalization], but
I think we need to start the dialogue. It could be part of the solution."

Prahst has been working with Vancouver police officers to put on
lectures and film showings that seek to deglamorize gang life.

In last week's Straight, retired provincial court judge Jerry Paradis
said that the B.C. government's plan to put more police officers on
the street in response to the Lower Mainland's recent upsurge in
shootings will not work in the long term.

Paradis, a member of the board of the Massachusetts-based Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition, suggested that drugs should be
regulated and taxed instead, like alcohol.