THE DRUG TRADE'S TENTACLES REACH FAR INTO SOCIETY

The Sun's informative articles on the drug trade have been
fascinating. Why, I asked a knowledgeable retired policeman, doesn't
the government legalize the use of drugs so as to eliminate the huge
profits gleaned by those in this despicable business? It worked during
Prohibition in the United States, didn't it? He agreed the hoodlum
element that profited from illicit booze during this period was forced
to find new ways to earn a living. But, he explained, Canada didn't
impose restrictions on the use or manufacture of liquor and many
Canadians profited as their products were smuggled across the border.

Drugs are big business, he said. If their use were legalized here, it
would have to be legalized in the U.S.

This, he said, was unlikely to happen, as legitimate businesses, as
well as the crooks, thrive on the drug trade.

Mike Harvey

Langley