LIVING NEXT DOOR TO A WORLD OF SEX AND DRUGS

Community Residents Grateful To Police For Cleaning Up The Streets

Re: "Sting angers sex workers' advocate," The Journal, Dec. 11.

As a resident of the area where 55 sex trade workers were arrested and are
being held without bail, I say great and it's about time. Thank you to the
police for cracking down and cleaning up our neighbourhoods.

What stuns me is the attitude of these sex trade workers. They feel they
have a right to sell drugs to finance their lives. They show no conscience
for what their illegal activity does to the community.

I hope that while these sex trade workers are in jail they will detox and
think more clearly about the choices they made and how they have victimized
the community for years.

Johns are also a problem. Have they no conscience or morals? Do they really
believe it's all right because prostitution is the oldest profession on earth?

This crackdown is the best thing that has ever happened for the prostitutes.

- - It will give them an opportunity to rethink what they want to do with
their lives when they are released.

- - Inside jail they're safe away from the johns and pimps.

- - Their children, who have been living with drugs, violence and
prostitution, are now in safe hands with foster families to care for them.

It boils down to choice: Are the prostitutes finally going to make the
right choice by leaving prostitution, or are they going to resume the sex
trade work and continue to sell drugs?

Samantha Judge, Edmonton