GANG WARS FUELED BY ILLEGAL DRUG CONSUMERS

Editor, The News

Reading the letter in the "Opinion" column, Feb. 26, "Tools to fight
crime a mystery," written by Gary Huntbatch gives me cause for concern.

He seems to imply that there is no way violence and crime within the
gangster community can be quelled as long as certain drugs remain illegal.

If drugs were to be legalized would not the gangster element find new
target customers? Possibly youth?

Would not easier access to illegal/legal drugs increase the use by
youth? Would they not feel that if drugs were legal it must be OK to
use them?

If youth can be hooked on a drug and become drug dependant do they not
become an addicted customer? Will they not need a marijuana or drug
"fix" to cope with day-to-day problems? This may not apply to all drug
users, but to many.

Selling drugs is illegal and hopefully will remain so. How should we
control the drug scourge in our community?

I would suggest that it should start with parents setting an example
and educating their children about the hazards of addictive drugs. If
parents use illegal drugs can you blame the children if they start
using? The real cause of gang growth in the drug trade is the user. If
there were no customers, problem solved.

Anyone who buys and uses illegal drugs is the problem!

Let's use some common sense to eradicate the gang/drug
problem.

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford