FEDERAL POLITICIANS OBLIVIOUS TO CRYSTAL METH

I'm appalled! A major problem is creeping across Canada affecting
young Canadians!

What are we doing about the problem? Seems to me not much . . . our
laws, I understand, really don't cover crystal meth in the way other
drugs are covered.

The Criminal Code is put in place by our federal legislators. I have
serious questions to ask: how come, given all that is taking place,
and has taken place over the past few months, that crystal meth
problems end up at the bottom of the page if, in fact, they are on
the page at all!

I would assume our MPs are caring people. But I find it hard to
understand something: if they care about you and I, then why are they
not taking more direct action on an immense, growing problem?

How can it be that our politicians are more interested in taking down
a government over budget issues than in addressing problems that
affect all of us?

Crystal meth leaves a trail of destruction in its path. The
destruction is human in nature, the costs involved horrendous.

It would seem this means nothing, not only to the pusher, but to
those who worry about where the money will come from to take care of
the sick or to incarcerate pushers.

Who should worry? Our MPs, I suggest!

This problem is one needing direction from our federal government.

Are we getting that direction? The answer, in my mind, is no!

If politicians from all parties did the decent thing, got off their
backsides and did what should be done, then we could address the
problem before it gets worse.

No, seems they would rather tussle over who's better and who looks
better before the cameras!

I applaud our provincial government for at least starting to take
action. It has been a long time coming and while I don't agree with
Saskatchewan Party MLA June Draude's politics, I commend her for what
she's been doing for years.

She at least has the intestinal fortitude to speak out not once, but
many, many times on the problems we have to come to terms with now.

I thank her for her tenacity, as it seems others just wish the
problem would disappear -- and it won't.

I stand aghast, however, where it involves the government of Canada.
The government of Canada includes all MPs. All MPs need to forget
their political party leanings and come to terms with this menace.

We need to show solidarity in addressing the problem. We need to put
in place not just a plan, but action to ensure the laws of Canada
solidly address the pusher and put them where they belong.

We need to address the chemical situation, the fact anyone can
purchase basic chemicals to render what we see ravaging our population.

We need to address the person who is now addicted and needs help.

We need -- and the "we" includes everyone, no matter what their
politics are -- to take immediate and decisive action on a problem
that presently eats into the very fabric of our nation: insidious
chemicals causing horrendous crime and social problems.

We look to our politicians to do the right thing and do it now.

We need to look in a mirror as well.

We might have a son or daughter, a grandson or grand-daughter
affected. We shake our head, not knowing what to do. We need to join
together to beat the problem that takes our children from us.

One need not be directly affected in order to get involved. We do,
however, need a plan in which Canadians can put their faith, a plan
to take back our streets, our cities and towns.

We don't need bullying pushers treating us as second-class citizens.

If any bullying needs to be done, then it's time to bully those who
sell the drug in order to get them out of our community permanently.

Tom Brewer

Regina