REVIEWED DRUG USE ATTITUDES COULD EASE TAXPAYERS' BURDEN

To the Editor,

Our economy is quite obviously suffering these days and our municipal
taxes are headed up.

Our taxation load is already heavy with many citizens about to buckle
under the strain of high taxes and inflated prices.

A major municipal cost is policing and a major component of that is
anti-drug squad activity.

Is it cost effective to stick to the letter of the law? Personal
possession of any drug - even the hardest - is not a crime in Spain,
Portugal, Italy, the Czech Republic or the Baltic states.

Contrary to the opinions of those who support severe penalties, an
epidemic of drug use has not occurred. Trafficking and more severe
offences draw fines rather than prison sentences, adding money to
civic coffers rather than depleting them.

It is time Nanaimo reviewed its attitude to drug use, make some money
in the process and ease our heavy taxes.

Alastair James Berry

Nanaimo