BIKER CRIME ROOTED IN DRUGS

Lost amidst the gruesome headlines and photos of the gangland
shootings is the understanding that organized crime has always
operated in the domain of high-profit illegal activities. In the Al
Capone era, it was booze and gambling and prostitution.

As the government moved in to regulate booze and gambling and to
increase its revenues, organized crime went shopping for other
lucrative ventures. Voila, the illegal drug trade.

Instead of watching the police use this latest violent episode to
crank up the hysteria over biker gangs, let's just modify our drug
laws. It's cheaper, safer, faster and more effective than the
never-ending disaster of the war on drugs. Connect the dots.

Brian Mason,

Victoria.