DOPEY DRUG POLICY

Re: Proposed Drug Laws Come Under Fire At Hearings, May 4.

On March 27, New York State Governor David Paterson unveiled a
landmark deal that would scrap most of his state's so-called
Rockefeller Drug Laws, which date back to 1971 and give mandatory
prison sentences to low-level drug offenders. Other states are also
reconsidering their jailing practices.

If the answer to the crime problem, however defined, were putting
people in jail, the United States would be the safest country in the
world. It's certainly not, which shows that tougher sentences and more
jails do not prevent crime.

Can we not learn something from our southern neighbour about a failed
drug strategy? On his next trip to the United States, Prime Minister
Harper should visit Gov. Paterson -- and take Justice Minister Rob
Nicholson with him.

Emile Therien, Ottawa.