News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: LTE: Tolerance Of Drugs Leads To Lawlessness |
| Title: | CN BC: LTE: Tolerance Of Drugs Leads To Lawlessness |
| Published On: | 2004-12-29 |
| Source: | Vancouver Courier (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-17 05:08:52 |
TOLERANCE OF DRUGS LEADS TO LAWLESSNESS
To the editor:
Re: "Getting tougher on crime won't cure what ails us," Letters, Dec. 19).
The kind of society that produces criminal behaviour is a society that
tolerates drug addiction and allows it to flourish. A few years ago we had
3,000 addicts, now we have 15,000. Tolerating addiction has made Vancouver
a magnet for addicts, which has led us to this present lawlessness.
Kamala Todd raises the issue of an uncaring and materialistic society that
is at the root of this lawlessness. As a teacher who worked in the Downtown
Eastside for many years, I am well acquainted with the roots of this
destructive behaviour. I wish it were a simple matter of pouring more
resources and providing support. I was one of many helping hands that spent
years trying to reach children of addicted parents only to be defeated by
drugs. It was not a lack of resources or an uncaring society that has
created this blight, and pointing the finger at people who have worked hard
and want to enjoy their lives isn't the answer. This is not the "Industrial
Revolution." Those who are committing crimes are not doing so for food,
clothing or shelter. The successful members of society haven't achieved
their success at the expense of the addicted and downtrodden in Vancouver.
Unfortunately, due to very little success, a number of "helping hands" have
moved elsewhere where their resources will not be wasted. Emptying
hospitals for the mentally ill and allowing them to fend for themselves was
a poorly thought out plan, as many could not take care of themselves and
became quick prey for drug dealers. Therefore, to blame this present state
of chaos on a heartless society is too simplistic and I am puzzled as not
one word was mentioned of the organized crime lords who grow richer
everyday from the pain and suffering of their customers.
I do however agree with Kamala Todd that we must at all levels work
together to bring Vancouver back from this despair so that it can be as it
once was, proud and beautiful.
Patti Milsom, Vancouver
To the editor:
Re: "Getting tougher on crime won't cure what ails us," Letters, Dec. 19).
The kind of society that produces criminal behaviour is a society that
tolerates drug addiction and allows it to flourish. A few years ago we had
3,000 addicts, now we have 15,000. Tolerating addiction has made Vancouver
a magnet for addicts, which has led us to this present lawlessness.
Kamala Todd raises the issue of an uncaring and materialistic society that
is at the root of this lawlessness. As a teacher who worked in the Downtown
Eastside for many years, I am well acquainted with the roots of this
destructive behaviour. I wish it were a simple matter of pouring more
resources and providing support. I was one of many helping hands that spent
years trying to reach children of addicted parents only to be defeated by
drugs. It was not a lack of resources or an uncaring society that has
created this blight, and pointing the finger at people who have worked hard
and want to enjoy their lives isn't the answer. This is not the "Industrial
Revolution." Those who are committing crimes are not doing so for food,
clothing or shelter. The successful members of society haven't achieved
their success at the expense of the addicted and downtrodden in Vancouver.
Unfortunately, due to very little success, a number of "helping hands" have
moved elsewhere where their resources will not be wasted. Emptying
hospitals for the mentally ill and allowing them to fend for themselves was
a poorly thought out plan, as many could not take care of themselves and
became quick prey for drug dealers. Therefore, to blame this present state
of chaos on a heartless society is too simplistic and I am puzzled as not
one word was mentioned of the organized crime lords who grow richer
everyday from the pain and suffering of their customers.
I do however agree with Kamala Todd that we must at all levels work
together to bring Vancouver back from this despair so that it can be as it
once was, proud and beautiful.
Patti Milsom, Vancouver
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