TAX AND REGULATE ILLICIT DRUGS LIKE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO

It is a sad week in B. C. where automatic weapons and the economy of
illegal drugs expose us to the kind of behaviour we normally associate
with struggling countries and challenged communities.

With gang violence and the drug economy related to deaths, what are
the challenges our communities face? Why do we have these killings?
Where is our community going to go if we don't address the root causes?

Many of our leaders will blame drug users for the problem here because
they fund these illegal activities. Maybe more people are to blame.

If as a society drugs are consumed, then we need to regulate and tax
these consumables like we do alcohol.

We know alcohol can be a negative force on our streets, in our homes
and in our health care system, yet many continue to drink.

Let's please put an end to extortion, prostitution and the weapons
trade by taxing and regulating drug use on a footing equal to alcohol
and tobacco.

Jane Sterk

Green party of B. C.