HARPER'S DRUG POLICY WILL LET US DOWN

While Stephen Harper's tough position on drug crime should not come
as a surprise to British Columbians ("Harper pledges drug crackdown,"
Dec. 4), his proposal falls short of constituting a responsible
approach to the drug problem facing many urban centres in British Columbia.

Harper's no-tolerance approach to drug crime is a simplistic attitude
that sees drug use as merely unethical and criminal behaviour that
demands punishment. From his viewpoint, safe-injection sites seem to
represent state-sponsored encouragement of drug use.

Harper's stance also allows him to avoid alienating like-minded
voters who prefer a more conservative approach to Canada's
controversial drug issues. However, as Victoria Liberal candidate
David Mulroney pointed out, we need only look across the border to
the United States and realize that toughening our drug laws will not
ease, let alone eliminate, Canada's drug-related social ills.

As long as there is a demand for illegal drugs, the drugs will be
made available.

It is well publicized that the installation of the safe-injection
site in Vancouver has reduced overdoses and drug-related deaths.
Safe-injection sites and harm-reduction programs could assist in
keeping our communities desirable places to live -- something that
I'm sure Harper and all Canadians value.

Harper's "crime and punishment" approach to drug use in Canada might
be a safe bet amongst some Conservative voters in the upcoming
election. However, this is the kind of commitment that, like similar
drug policies elsewhere, will let Canadians down.

Brad Hankinson,

Victoria.