THERE'S A DOWNSIDE TO DRUG LEGALIZATION

Re: How to get tough on gang violence? Legalize drugs, Feb. 28.
Having spent close to 40 years in law enforcement, working national and
international
organized crime cases, I would point out that legalization of drugs would
not
necessarily eradicate gang violence.

Individuals join gangs to gain prestige, power and money. Legalization
of drugs would simply force such gangs to go into other lucrative
enterprises.

Would we then want to entertain legalizing such things as extortion,
kidnapping, prostitution and armed robberies, as a further effort to
stamp out inter-gang violence?

The Netherlands tried to liberalize its soft drugs laws by opening pot
cafes many years ago. The huge influx of people from the rest of
Europe, wanting to take advantage of that country's general attitude
towards drugs, has resulted in increased gang violence. Dutch
authorities are examining policies on illicit drugs. Legalization of
drugs in Canada would see this country deluged in the same manner,
with the same negative result.

Often overlooked when people talk of legalization of drugs is the
tremendous downside. There would be no major financial savings as
other gang related crimes would have to be investigated. By expanding
free choice, we may well be enslaving more people to drug addiction.
This would require even more money for our dying health-care system.

Although many strategies have been tried, there is no simplistic
solution to curbing gang violence. Increasing enforcement, coupled
with stiffer jail sentences, may be as good as other current
alternatives.

Larry Comeau

Ottawa

Mr. Comeau is a retired superintendent with the RCMP.