PROVIDE FREE DRUGS TO CUT DOWN ON CRIME

Re: "Criminal activity linked to addiction," June 28.

The writer noted that up to 80 per cent of crimes are committed by
addicts trying to support their habits.

If the drugs that a user is addicted to were provided by the state if
the addict is unable to pay for them, crime rates would drop by 80 per
cent.

"Rehabilitation" cannot be forced on anyone. Whatever the drug is,
it's available within half an hour or less of whenever a rehabbed
addict is released. The shift has to come from within and cannot be
imposed. And sometimes the shift doesn't come, ever. That's reality.

As long as street drugs are illegal and there is a sector of people
who think addiction can be legislated away, we will spend thousands of
dollars on a futile "war on drugs."

Diane McNally
Victoria