REMEMBER PROHIBITION

Wasn't Prohibition the last time we allowed gangs and organized crime to
terrorize our communities and kill our police? Are we winning our
prohibitive, punitive "war on drugs?" More police, more and tougher laws
and longer sentences just seem to create demand for more and scarier
substances. We move from marijuana to cocaine and heroin and on to ecstasy
and crystal methamphetamine. It's time to legalize; control the quality,
supply and distribution; and tax the sale of these substances.

Doing more of the same failing strategies addicts more children, devastates
more families and further harms our communities.

At the same time, let's invest in education, prevention and treatment and
in community programs that create involvement and a sense of belonging. The
economics alone should make the case.

Jane Sterk

Esquimalt