WE NEED TO FIGHT DRUG WAR WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

A recent opinion poll shows Metro Vancouver public is generally
supportive of a series of proposed justice reforms to curb gang
activity, and that "nearly two-thirds also back the legalization of
marijuana" as a means of taking the profit out of the drug trade that
fuels much of the recent gangland shootings.

While there is a good argument in favour of these measures, it should
be noted none is a panacea to the crime wave that's plaguing the region.

It is probably an enormous waste of money and police resources to go
after every marijuana user in the country, but legalization would not
take the profit out of the trade - unless the drug was legalized in
the United States as well as in Canada. This is highly unlikely to
occur, because President Barack Obama's new administration has much
bigger issues on its plate right now than liberalization of their drug
laws.

This province purportedly produces about $3 billion a year of "B.C.
Bud," and in all likelihood only consumes a fraction of that amount.
The rest is exported, primarily to the U.S., where it fetches a
significantly higher price than it does in B.C.

We've seen gang-affiliated criminals bringing B.C. Bud across the U.S.
border in the floor of cattle trailers, in duffel bags hurled across
the border, and we've even seen a drug tunnel dug by smugglers right
next to the Aldergrove-Lynden border station.

There is simply too much money to be made in this cross-border trade,
which also brings guns and cocaine into Canada from the U.S.
Liberalizing Canada's drug laws alone won't take this lucrative profit
out of the illegal businesses operated by the gangs and organized
criminals in Canada and the U.S.

Nor do the law enforcement and justice systems have all the answers.
Beefing up both is, however, the only solution to getting the hardened
criminals off the street.

The only thing these reprobates fear is a good butt-kicking by police
and the courts, although this will require creative thinking too.

Remember that infamous gangster Al Capone was impervious to the best
efforts of police and justice until a bright mind came up with a
brilliant solution: Nail him on income tax evasion on his undeclared
income. Capone died in jail - of syphilis, mind you - but if not for
this Internal Revenue conviction, he'd have lived all his life a free
man.

Looking ahead, a multi-pronged approach is needed to prevent youths
from even considering entry into a life of crime.

That means putting more money and resources into programs that offer
youngsters a healthy alternative and a positive future. This includes
recreation programs and facilities, and intervention programs that
provide positive role models for youths. We need to provide more
interaction between youths and adults, including authorities such as
police officers.

This takes a commitment from government as well as ordinary people
such as you and me. This is why I plan to join Big Brothers.

I might not have the swankiest house or drive a fancy SUV, but I think
I'm an alright guy who can share a good time with a little bloke, and
give him something other than a game of "Grand Theft Auto" on his
computer to occupy his time with. I can help him with his reading
skills or take him to a game or show, or to boxing or music lessons,
or for a walk or bike ride in the park - whatever his interests might
be I can help him pursue them.

This is not to imply that all kids from single-parent homes are
destined to a life of crime, or that the criminal lifestyle doesn't
attract kids from solid, two-parent families.

But if each one of us contributes something positive to the kids in
our community, perhaps we can chart the way to a future that values
humanity and respect for each other.