MANDATORY DRUG SENTENCE BILL WILL BRING MORE CRIME

Re: 'Drug-sentence bill may get OK soon' (Daily News, June 4)

The passing of this bill is a bad idea. Prime Minister Stephen Harper
is trying to make points with his constituency, who I find are not
very informed about this issue.

This bill is going to increase crime. Perhaps it might even be
successful enough to increase the price of marijuana on the street,
which makes it more profitable for people to get into.

We will need more police, guards, prisons, and courts. And loss of
liberty for the rest of us.

I personally think all drugs should be legalized, regulated and
controlled. It should be a health concern, not a law enforcement concern.

My biggest issue with the current policy is that it isn't working.
Kids can get drugs easier than cigarettes or alcohol. Drugs are
stronger and cheaper than ever. Instead of letting our children get
them from drug dealers, who don't ask for ID, drugs should be
controlled like alcohol.

If you want to see the path that Harper wants to lead us down, look
south. I would suggest everyone do the research, its all available on
the Internet -- both sides of the issue. Prohibition doesn't work.

Look around, talk to people, what is your opinion and why do you have
that opinion?

Steve Bottrell

Bellevue, Alta.