WE ARE LOSING THE WAR ON DRUGS

I have grown up in this beautiful city and seen many things come and
go.

We have had one or two panhandlers or vagrants over the years, but I
have never seen anything like what the city is going through now. We
are losing the war on drugs. It's apparent anywhere we go in our
pretty little city.

We sit in our offices and watch the drug dealers working their trade
on any number of corners. I am scared to stop at some streetlights
anymore because of drug addicts slapping the windows of my vehicle for
money!

I have heard too many people say they have a crack house on their
street and there is nothing they are able to do about it. Sadly, this
is bringing another seedy element out in the open: prostitution.

Downtown businesses have to call police to escort these lost souls
away from store fronts and doorways. Giving these people money and
handouts -- is it helping?

You see it all the time in all the parking lots in the city now. They
lay in wait outside the supermarkets and superstores around the entire
city, not just downtown.

Do you have a dollar to spare? Do you have $10? They get angry with us
when we won't give the contents or our wallets. Do you really think
they are going to use that money for food!

Our very kind citizens in this family-friendly city are giving these
drug addicts the very money they need to buy the drugs. There is no
quick fix to this city's problems, but I would hate to see them grow
to the point where good people are locking themselves in at night so
the drug addicts can run the show.

I hope next time when people open their wallets to give a handout, to
mentally picture that same person running to one of these drug dealers
and getting their drugs.

Not a pretty sight.

Corinna Stobart

Red Deer