ESCALATE BATTLE AGAINST DRUGS, SAYS LOCAL READER

To the Editor:

I feel compelled to write this in light of the tragedy our nation
suffered with the passing of four of our finest.

The four young men died in the line of duty in the war against drugs
(marijuana). Our whole nation is mourning these young men with good
reason.

I am writing as a mother, a citizen of this country who is also in a
war against drugs every day.

I mourn for these four officers but I think this country also needs to
mourn the hundreds of young men and women who die every day because of
drugs.

These people who die in the streets of our country may not be national
heroes but they are dearly loved just as the four officers were.
Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and most of all, our God love them.

They are born with a clean slate like all of us -- full of hope and
promise.

Thousands of Canadian citizens are affected everyday by drugs and not
just the users but all the people who love and care for them as well.
This is also a national tragedy.

So, in light of this, we need to (rather than to give in to this evil
that is sweeping our nation and legalize marijuana) step up the fight
against drugs. Instead of legalizing it, we must impose stiffer penalties.

Drugs have affected my family for more than 20 years. Drugs have
destroyed many hopes and dreams we have had. It all started with the
so-called safe marijuana.

Please let us, as a nation, not let the deaths of these officers be in
vain.

They fought to the death so that families may be spared the heartbreak
and havoc drugs cause. In their memories, let's fight even harder to
stamp out drugs.

Joyce Roth

Edson, AB