A GOOD DRUG POLICY

Re: Dopey Drug Policy, letter to the editor, May 5.

Letter-writer Emile Therien criticizes the United States' "failed
drug policy" and says "tougher sentences and more jails do not
prevent crime." This seems to be a popular point of view, but it's
absolute hogwash -- using that logic, murderers and thieves should
not be incarcerated either. The fact is, trafficking drugs is a crime
in virtually every country in the world and dealers should go to jail
for the benefit of society.

B. C.'s lenient approach has been a disaster in comparison with the
get-tough approach that cleaned up New York in the '70s. I wonder if
Mr. Therien would like to come out to the West Coast and tour
Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, then travel 220
kilometres south to observe the downtown Seattle scene. It will
become obvious whose drug policy is truly "dopey."

Jeffrey Hay, Delta, B. C.