SMOKERS AT LEAST BRINGING IN TAXES

Re: Why won't city stigmatize crackheads?, Column, Oct. 17.

Cheers to Rosie DiManno for her bitingly accurate portrayal of the "causes"
our officials push on us. While drug users need help recovering, they need
to be weaned off drugs and making it easier and sanctioned for them to do
them is not a good first step. It's clear the city has just not thought
this one through all the way.

And while I do not believe in stigmatizing users, won't opening these
centres just make them good stake-out spots for police, knowing there are
drugs there?

How about seeing some statistics from places like Vancouver to see just how
many people have cleaned up thanks to these stations.

And isn't it ironic that while we're turning smokers into second-class
citizens, they are at least bringing in billions in taxes a year.

Peter Skrzypczak,

Burlington